You can get your real estate license, enabling you to sell on the side for additional income.

Good or bad for the City of Philadelphia and more specifically the real estate market?

Unfortunately creditor rights laws prevent the owner from verifying directly with the utility provider until a lien is filed which I always thought was unfair but this is a way to confirm the usage is being paid for real time. 

. § 452.03 states that no person may engage in or follow the business or occupation of, or advertise as a real estate broker or salesperson without a license.

What would be the return if they put it in the stock market, bonds, syndications, real estate notes, etc.

They won't be advertising "invest in this deal with 20% returns", but they will advertise their company, their track record, their view of the real estate market, etc.  

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The reason I say could is because your current income, tax situation, and real estate investments can dictate if buying real estate might benefit you.

Then you can read a more in-depth book like The Book On Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner or The Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing by Spencer Strauss.2.

I have been able to find companies that will cover real estate portfolios on one policy in other markets but no luck in the Florida market.