How difficult was it to 'hang' your license with a broker?

And you're right, it may be difficult, but not impossible.

My plan is to refinance my house with a cash out option, I have a decent equity in my house.And use that money to buy my first investment property locally, I live in Houston.The dilemma is my current mortgage rate is 3%, and the refinance rate is 5%, and how good would be start this rental market investments in Houston, I also have the option to buy properties in Las Vegas (Family), but starting as a long-distance landlord might be difficult for a newbie.What are your thoughts or suggestion about this idea?

Every LLC then needs to file a tax return and should be showing profit and loss and balance sheet separately.

Having shown many tenant occupied properties, it is VERY difficult to gain access. 

As for the title of your discussion "When sticking to your goals get difficult" I'm here to tell you, there's ALWAYS challenges. 

My question, then is this; How difficult is it to begin a career in real estate?

It was still difficult to get done.

The transfer of the asset, with the sub-to note and pending tenant option deposit will also be somewhat complex and perhaps difficult under a custodian managed self-directed IRA.  

Your transactions will not be as smooth as they would be with an agent that is doing 5 million a year in sales.That’s my biased opinion, but it comes from frustration of dealing with low volume agents that make life more difficult.