If you are using RE investing to try to avoid going to school, your intentions are not in the correct place.

As it relates to lease end dates I've seen two things work here. 1) You can stagger end dates as mentioned above or 2) you can optimize for summer - this works better for us in areas where you see students or families with school age children moving to align with the summmer months.Separately, this is a great argument against month-to-month leases.  

I travel for REI, businesses, my own business, and other interests related to work on average 2 days a month.I drop off my kids to school and then later pick them up with my wife after going to the gym every weekday during the school year together.

Typically, higher income areas have lower crime, more amenities, better schools.  

- Should I go back to school and obtain an Associates degree in Real Estate? 

Starting now, even while juggling school and your internship, will give you a huge head start.

And a lot of old school GCs may not have the ability to take a CC and may not care to learn how to...Main question is: why do you want to do this?

It’s growing fast, has good schools, and offers affordable homes compared to Houston.

My wife and I own a single-family home in a top school district.

Why not joint venture with someone who has money, fix & flip itWhy not rent it out for at least the monthly carrying costs.Why not sell it on a lease option, get 10% cash up front to fund school?