One reason was the condo management company wasn't doing a great job and there were always extra levies. 

(I work with some challenging populations and the extra effort has paid off in these situations.) 

If you are prepared for the costs involved and the modifications needed to the property to make the basement unit conform, the pay off of creating an extra rent producing unit is huge. 

You can always take extra courses or certifications later to level up your skills.

If you want to buy your first property ASAP, house hacking (duplex, triplex, or renting extra rooms) is one of the best ways to start with a low down payment while learning property management.

Many of them treat the home as their own and stay long term.Multi's are nice because they generally produce more cash flow, but do require some extra attention.

I definitely have some rose tinted glasses on and am drawn to the idea of 'lifestyle investing' hence why I am trying to get more realistic/experienced advice here.Kathryn and Jonathan, if I had to summarize your feedback;-If it seems so great, it will be competitive -If it is competitive, I am massively disadvantaged not being local/experienced in the market.

Here are a few suggestions on how you can maximize the wealth of information available: Check out the blogs and podcasts, or take advantage of the search feature (magnifying glass).

It may take 2-3 extra months, but the rent is still coming in.

While the heater issue adds extra stress, addressing it promptly will protect you from further fines and penalties.