So choice is staying stock market and making 15%-20% or buying property and MAYBE breaking even. 

Greetings and stay focused and united. 

Ask where they went to law school to pontificate as if they had a clue of what they were talking about.And above all, and most importantly stay clear of fraud defenders; it is only a matter of time this creep defends other's suspicious activity (including his own?)

@Eric Martin recommend you focus on Class B rentals and stay away from Class C & D.

In those markets sales are perking up now when inventory gets listed and as I said stays consistent to the end of OCT or so.. 

Brokers either get leads through a network of brokers in other disciplines or organic contacts.

From there, adding discipline will get you to where you want.Instead what you're doing is advertising you have money, no knowledge and are going to have the average BP RE agent(bottom of the barrel quality) come here to promote their services with no regard. 

Even if you aren't into creative finance, stay away from rough neighborhoods.

At the time of purchase, I knew I might not want to stay indefinitely and at some point to might convert the home to a rental property.

I would stay out of really rough areas in expensive cities because those are risky and can be management headaches.