Are you equipped to weather downturns-- I'm talking vacancies, capex, etc., all coming at once?

We rebranded, but kept the employees, furniture, equipment, fixtures, etc.

Not to discourage you but to equip you. 

This proactive approach helps maintain the property’s value and keeps tenants happy.Informed Decision-Making: When you have a good grasp of how things work, you’re better equipped to evaluate the quality and necessity of work done by contractors.

Does anyone have advice or tips for me on what the best way for me to build my REI knowledge would be so that when I do have the adequate funds, I am already equipped with a very good base knowledge.

Folks who don't have a lot of money typically aren't equipped to handle the financing of land, running utilities, surveys, building, etc.

@Ria Lamb, there's quite a bit to this question that your professionals need to grapple with and should be equipped to grapple with.  

And for the same reason we don't put table saws in our living areas (yet) its stupid to put dishwashers, mixers, blenders, and other noise generating kitchen equipment in the same room.

So, the seller was NOT AT ALL equipped to deal with the difficult tenant situation and the agent wasn't prepared to put a lot of effort into a troublesome deal that was of low value.

., it is also important to have tenant orientation and perhaps refreshers on how to use the safety equipment.