A couple of years ago there was an excellent long article on BP about all the things to look for and ask when interviewing property managers. 

The buyer finally reaches out to say that the bank is having a hard time seasoning a couple of the homes in their portfolio. 

So I have a couple clarifying questions out to them.

We are good friends but that's also not an issue for them because they are a dual veteran couple.

Admittedly, I am not one that typically finds paid mentorship very valuable, but I also respect that my degree is in business with a focus on real estate, and my first job out of college was in real estate (so it is a little hard for me to take my 20 yrs of knowledge and rewind it to try to view mentors from a completely fresh lens).A couple points: I view mentors, especially these expensive ones as a catch-22. 

I own a couple and never regretted it... 

I have sold a couple to investors and some to occupants and can't say I have anything to complain about. 

You'll still need enough income and DTI ratio to buy another property in a couple years even with this rental income.

I took a couple of weeks off from my former job to really focus and prepare for the exam. 

I think in unit microwaves and induction burners and with a couple of common area meals/ week might make it work.