If I could move to a more simple software than QBO, it would save me several thousand a year, and the simplicity would be valuable as well.

Has anybody invested with them who can provide some valuable feedback?

It sounds like you're starting with a chicken or an egg already.I'm talking about pulling comps for every property for sale in any specific area, and then just looking at the ones that have the best opportunity.  

Hello, BiggerPockets community!
My name is Jay I'm excited to join this platform as a new investor based in Charlotte, North Carolina. With one successful flip under my belt, I'm eager to connect with fellow investor...

You would get a fixed return that's not subject to UBIT and would still get the opportunity to learn the ropes. 

Above are just hypotheticals, but they bring to light the point, which is, evaluating opportunities requires apples to apples comparisons. 

A PM sends someone for maintenance and that's valuable info on how the house is being treated.

Tempe and Scottsdale can be competitive, but Mesa and certain areas of Phoenix might offer better cash flow opportunities.

Get involved means more than go to meetings - the Better Government/Lobbying groups within the association attract the money to their meetings/events/volunteer opportunities.

It’s a smart move, especially since it ties in with your goal of saving for your first investment.For skills, you probably already have a good foundation with your sales experience—things like communication, organization, and dealing with clients are all super valuable.