And I also realized that we would have to re-tool our operations, which are 100% specialized to the type of property we have.So you don't have to go bigger, unless you want to.

To get those hours, maybe turn one or two into medium term rentals (you want the average stays to be over 7 days so they don't fall into STR status) which would give her more to do, particularly in the first year of furnishing them and getting everything set up.Alternatively, she maybe she could manage the properties but also get her RE license and try to sell a house or two a year - go to lots of open houses or run them for other agents?

Here's an update: I ended up re-charging her a few days later with late fees and it went through.  

Most investors who take this route are not short-term investors and do not enter the investment with a timeline for sale. 

We couldn't close and had to have (and pay for) a re-inspection, even though the hurricane did not come anywhere close by.

It's more like any other long term holding strategy, with less out of pocket costs, quicker financing of the RE purchase and less responsibilities than a landlord has.

I had to re-post in another post. 

In theory, you could QT the property to an LLC in your name and enter into a lease with you personally.

I got into RE investing utilizing the same strategy as you're exploring.

As more top REITS enter the space the investor will be able to build a diversified portfolio of REITS and not worry that any one REIT will turn into a dog.