LIREIA hosts at least one meet-up event every month on Long Island. 

Is property management the only way to make this work?

@George Blower yes, If any funds go to pay the seller note it will be a contribution first to the Solo K, then paid out to the seller.

I really want to do local meetups and interact with more advanced investors but don’t know where to start.

There are currently tenants in both units, but both leases expire over the next couple months.

I think people were/are just trying to avoid agreeable gray.

Very big difference and be surprised if you had rats to be honest.

Long term Appreciation is likely to happen.  

You're spending X to save(earn) Y.

You could form a month to month lease with a just a days notice to vacate so you could end it as soon as you get your license ready to close, the seller might be open to it.https://www.hostaway.com/blog/rental-arbitrage-joshua-tree/Or, you could continue to list on the seller's Airbnb and you could become a full-access co-host on their account - handle all communication, pricing, etc.