I am looking to do the good work of continuing to expand my business and share in the progress with investor-friendly agents who are motivated to join for the ride!

You may eventually find someone that let's you assist on some basic aspects of a deal or even just let's you ride along and watch over their shoulders, but you'll have a mutual understanding that your primary concern for now is completing your school work.I hope that helps, and my best advice for now is to pick a plan and stick with it, as it will likely take multiple years before you really see this dream come to fruition.

As a generalization, I think it is safe to assume that most self-managed properties offer lower than market rental rates, form a personal (sometimes too personal) relationship with their tenants, and are eager to fix and improve their property in the do-it-yourself fashion (sometimes half-arsed).

I'm still waiting for a ride in your plane.  

everyone looking in NYC but their hard to come by, my best advice would be drive for dollars or ride for dollars( i have a bike so it a good work out).

The second home ride is pretty damn clear to me:"6.

Your best safety net is too buy right, keep your leverage at a safe margin, and try to ride out any  market downfalls  by lowering rents, offering incentives when you do have vacancy's, and trying to manage through the tough times. 

I was bold enough to not sell my stocks by riding out the wave; probably the smartest thing I had done at that time because they did eventually regain their value after about five years.

So many people are riding "The train is coming the train is coming!!"

Alas, I chose to keep it civil/easy for a smooth ride to closing and ate the remediation cost.