Its not rocket science, but it does take a certain type of person to be able deal with evictions, leaky pipes and roaches all the time!

The scenario is purely fictional, there's some holes in the story but bear with it.

Yes there is some subjectivity in appraisals, it's not an exact science but often times when the range of opinion is that huge it's because the appraiser didn't take the time to verify all of their data or isn't truly that well-versed in their market and didn't disclose that fact to the client and take measures to rectify that (i.e. consult other real estate professionals in that area to ensure that their adjustments make sense). 

I work in tech and have a great job but want to move into passion areas (writing fiction), hence the desire to build passive income. 

Apologies to any classically trained economists here, but the 'science' of economics is largely junk science, at least applied to today's nations and markets.

It's not an exact science but something you get better at over time. 

Finding a hot neighborhood before it gets hot is more of an art than a science. 

Don't get me started on appraisers, which is a science the way economics is a science.

I am purchasing a property 3 blocks away for a large, well-known medical establishment (3 hospitals, bio-science facility etc.)-  20 minutes from dt Denver.

You pair that with my PhD in bro science, and I know just enough to be dangerous.