I know I'd love the agent side with my entrepreneurial roots, but income is a big concern to me.Any advice on both investing with student debt and the agent career choice would be awesome.I'm also interested in learning more about the best areas in Los Angeles for "buy and hold" as well as the best places to buy a multi-family under an FHA loan.

However, everything in the agent's class is important to know for investors, except the areas dealing with state RE commission aspects.Every strategy used by investor has its roots in the basics taught in those classes, everything as to transactions.

As @Russell Brazil stated not having long term roots plays a major role in why one moving to a more expensive neighborhood might not be a sound business plan.

Play up that you live in the neighborhood, have roots, etc.

If you don't understand EVERYTHING about the root cause of what caused the water issues and how you can prevent that (and the cost of doing so) after seeing it, then it's not for you.I feel the best fit for most first time buyers is a low risk, appreciable asset, perhaps in a good school system. 

There are banks in PA that do these; some know how to handle landlord tenant accounts better than others (hint - avoid using a bank that is open 7 days a week that has its parent roots in Canada - that bank can screw up a landlord tenant account in more ways than you want to think of).  

I think I see the root cause of the problem.

However, we know this is not sustainable, as he will not seek help for the root cause, which we believe is mental illness.

I have no rooting interest here, but limiting access to information seems punitive at best and collusion at worst. 

Steve would have had the ability to settle down his roots here instead of being priced out of the NYC location.I know Investors tend to think of only in terms of Today and find it very unpredictable to think of tomorrow, but please remember that even Squirrels think about tomorrow as they put away their Nuts for the Winter.