Keep in mind that this would just be to get cash so that i can eventually start buying my own rental properties and what not.

A good lesson of what NOT to do!

While I wholeheartedly agree with what both Micheal & Ed mentioned about the benefits of having a license - I personally know a lot of wholesalers/investors who stay away from the license because more is expected from agents (disclosures and due diligence processes & what not) and a lot of investors want to focus on the part of business they are good at (like marketing, finding deals...etc) without expanding the scope of what they work on.Access to the MLS is one of the main reasons a license is a good idea, however keep in mind that it takes some work to get licensed and some work to keep the license after you get it (you'll have to continue your education with few courses a year), plus a little bit of money every month to get the access.

I am new in this and I am learning what NOT TO DO.

A sort of cash for keys type of thing, or pay for the moving truck or what not.

Clair Grosvenor, that is a lot to explain, but I do know exactly what to do and what not to do.The issue always is, people try to 1/2 donkey it.  

One of my "friends"(we'll call him Jack, knew the landlord from childhood and took care of the communication, setting the lease up and what not.

It's those maniacs that buy homes cash via quit claim deed off of craigslist that really get screwed.Make sure your property manager is a licensed real estate brokerage.Google Clayton Morris and/or Morris Invest for a cautionary tale of what not to do when buying turnkey real estateUnderstand you can not eliminate all risk, only mitigate it.

We have been here in GA for over 3 years now, but in the next 10 years, I suspect we will be moving more frequently due to career progression and whatnot...you know what I'm talking about.

There are many books, blog posts and what not out there to help jog your mind.