You might find an owner even willing to finance part of that or a partner to temporarily move in, or even rent out a spare bedroom.

I am currently teaching myself accounting, law, and business on my spare time.

I was shocked at all the amenities within something so compact.

I invest there sparingly, and even at that I do so only because I have over a decade's experience in managing rental properties and I know when a good deal is truly a good deal.

I keep debating whether I should spend time pursuing working as an r/e agent on the side or use my spare time to pursue educating myself more on finance.. so was looking for some guidance

In my spare time, I've read pretty much everything out there about the subject, I've set up a website, designed business cards, registered an LLC, am currently reading Rich Dad Poor Dad, etc.

It was just a fun, spare-time project.

I tell him "F it, no big deal, I've got spares". 

All the appliances are staying with some spare ones in the basement. 

Use the father's money very sparingly while you make all of your first-timer mistakes and build some experience and a process.