Im my biggest fear is finding financing.

And investing on your own can't hurt, obviously, but institutional players tend to want people with institutional mindsets, which is why it's good to get a degree that institutions will respect.Several years ago, when I was thinking about changing jobs from law to real estate, I sat down with a college friend whose family owns one of the world's biggest development firms.  

My biggest concern with lockbox showings is that the real deadbeats / tenants from hell know what to say (lie) to get a showing, what might one do when you give them key access and time to move in enough furniture in to say, " we're tenants" and create a lease and a receipt for cash to show the cops?

I read an old version.My experience with college students is not extensive but I would say the biggest downside is the turnover.

What would you say was your single biggest thing you learned from this process?

I am feeling like the world's biggest sucker right now, and I would feel so much better if I were not the only one.

It needs a little TLC, three units are being renovated now, the tenants biggest complaint is the parking lot.

After about two years of inactivity and REI study, I developed a strategy almost identical to @Andrew Cordle in that the biggest hurdle to rental properties is capital.I want to actually Invest, and build my asset column, not simply boost my income statement in the short term with a pure fix-flip approach.

The 2 biggest things banks look at for a loan in my experience are work/income history and value of the property.

The biggest piece of advice is- know the team you are working with, make sure they are good, and know how to run numbers so you know what to expect on a property!