Because on average, we can only remember three things at a time.

Welcome Zach and congrats on your first 3 properties!!

I almost gave up on real estate investing before I even started.When I first considered investing in real estate, I was drowning in paralysis of analysis.

At this time the primary goal is passive income and then scale within 5 years as I gain more experience and network. 

Owners mistakenly ASSUME all PMCs offer the exact SAME SERVICES and PERFORM those services EXACTLY THE SAME WAY, so price is the only differentiator – so, they often select the first PMC they call or that calls them back!

There's no real hard and fast way or only 1 way or doing your first 2 points. your subject line suggests you're not looking to go to a large shop like a JLL or a CBRE which honestly I don't blame you those offices are usually pretty bloated.As far as monthly costs, if you are going to individually get a costar or other such license you are probably looking at $500-$1000 a month pretty easy in overhead once you have office dues, mls dues, marketing, etc. 

There are houses that can be lived in and fixed up, or turned into multi-unit spaces (such as terraced houses with converted 'stables' at the back) for living in and earning income at the same time.

When I bought my first place in Birmingham, the property manager at the time said they would not deal with Section 8 unless the tenants were inherited. 

Thrift stores take a lot of time to shop at, wasted time in my opinion. 

That's the first time I remember being disgusted by him.