The toilet is aging and it had blockage within hence the weak flush.

THEN, sit down and re-write your  plan using what you have learned about real estate and about yourself...your strengths & weaknesses...the parts of RE investing where you can create/extract the most value.By going through the process, you may decide you don't need to get your RE license, or you my decide it is essential before doing anything else. 

Weakness and giving up didn't get me this far and it won't get you very far either.  

I was saying that some colleagues and I are starting to see what we think are some of the first clear indicators that Austin's highly unbalanced seller's market is beginning to show signs of weakness and that a more balanced market is now on the distant horizon.The current market, while great for speculators and homeowners, is difficult for buy and hold investors seeking properties that will cash flow in the immediate or very near terms.

You may be moving to a weak demand area or an area where you might not be able to cover costs of the mortgage.Good luck, you have a lot going on.Best,Allen

I agreed to help someone out in a moment of weakness never imagining how hard someone worked to bad situation worse. 

Instead of appreciating an accomodating landlord they just sense weakness and keep expanding the boundaries.

I am not keen on property management companies.The recent weakness in equities has me interested in owning more dividend stocks, and more financial type investments as opposed to more RE.Never put all your eggs in one basket.I'm retired, have more than I need, and see no need to chase the carrot.

Do you really want an agent to work for you if their negotiation skills are so weak that you can negotiate them down on commission anyway?

Crystal if you  aren't proven yet as a business maybe the seller would entertain a lease with an additional provision where you have the option to purchase for a certain price and terms within a set time period.This gives you time to create a successful business and get it off the ground.A landlord may or may not want to take a chance on you if your financials are weak with no leasing experience.