I received advice to start investing in a market close to home where I'm comfortable and can visit frequently.

This is a frequent clause in a Buyer's Agency contract.

If you aren't willing to be present to check on your property frequently, I'd suggest selling it.

Someone recently suggested to me that if people had to pay they'd be more committed, and to maybe have meet-ups less frequently so they can plan for once a quarter, or something like that.

I recommend reading blogs and listening to the podcast as frequently was you can.

If they don't want full market exposure, Sin Stocks and addictive substances (like booze, cigarettes, casinos, coffee etc) are almost always a good bet because people will spend money on them even when they shouldn't.

Do not work in neighborhoods which exceed the area FHA cap or in the million dollar areas unless you have multi-millionaire friends you hang with frequently on a social basis.

There are various other details left out, and the two things in stars at the bottom change pretty frequently. 

We are both out of state (NY and AL) but recently graduated from UCF and still have friends and family in the area that we visit frequently.

I always wished I could own the casino because the odds are in the house's favor.