Books I have read:- The Book On Estimating Rehab Costs by J Scott- Land lording on AutopilotBooks I own and want to read soon:- The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller-What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know about Cash Flow by Frank GallinelliMy question:Im lacking some knowledge as well as trying to understand the metrics investors use to keep track of different types of data both when buying and selling and also down the line for refi and PL spreadsheeting. 

Also, it generally exists only because some landlords keep their property empty or if long-term tenants become delinquent, don't pay and turn into squatters.

Also, full disclosure - I have utilized creative financing & transaction structures (installment sale transactions, had the seller take back 2nd position notes, baked brokerage fees into the agrement of sale  in off market transactions to name a few), so I am not opposed to it, but they were utilized in very unique and circumstantial land entitlement transactions. 

Long distance landlording when starting out can be very tough.The folks I see succeed the most have all had good W2 or inveting income flow from non-real estate when they started investing in real estate.  

And very pro-investor / landlord here. 

If you can house hack, like @Nicholas L. said, that is ideal because you will need the least amount down to do it and can get the enjoyment and landlord experience out of it.

Also, MANY landlords did BETTER during COVID but people doing better don't complain!

As you're still on college and interested in the financial sector, I do encourage you to try to land your first job in the financial sector and start building the business on the side - this way you will be secured on your monthly paychecks and will be able to start to get the feel of what dropshipping really means.

RE your last sentence, even worse IMO are the people who lie to a landlord who does not allow animals at all.

We recently bought a 4plex in Colorado (yea!).  Our other rentals are in Orange County CA and Scottsdale AZ, so we've never had to worry about pipes freezing/bursting.  I have heard of thermostats that you can install...