One of the massive challenges that I suspect people have (when they don't do that) is that they can understand population demographics, median income, run a pro-forma, but unless you know the area it's much harder to distinguish B from C areas. 

After our last tenant's moved out (and had been out for a little over a month) we received a MASSIVE bill showing they went over the limit by about $1,000 all in all during their 6 months at our place.I'm struggling with how to handle this.

We are currently reading massive amounts of literature and will eventually be starting our own small investing company.

For example, if a person pays $10K for a course and maybe they don't make the $10K back--but the sunk cost forces them to take massive action, then the $10K might have been well spent for that person.As far as financial underwriting goes: mentors and education are pretty valuable.

It's a massive money sink unless the person really knows how to run it.

I have  no doubt the people who are  indecisive and scared of real estate will build  people like “ fortune builders” a massive fortune 

I’m not looking to hit a home run on my first deal, but I feel it’s necessary to consider the massive benefits of economies of scale via purchasing multiple doors.My question is: Is it realistic/ reasonable for someone in my position to go after and search for a +/- 10 unit property with help from other investors?

@Charlotte Kelso Warren Buffet spoke about why he didn't take advantage of the 90's tech boom.

Think of it as a bucket -- you won't want holes in your bucket, particularly if you are going to pay to fill it.If you have a pretty decent site that shows you as credible, then fire away - take massive action. 

From a macro perspective you see it in the suburbs with folks getting priced out of certain areas (like Troy), moving to places like Royal Oak and Ferndale until those get too pricey, and now moving to areas like Hazel park and Hamtramck.On the other side you have downtown seeing massive corporate investment, and rents/housing prices are rising quickly.