Here my understanding is that demand is so high they can be full quite quickly after certificate of occupancy is issued but other markets are different and your construction costs are much lower. 

My wife and I are both full-time Grand Rapids real estate junkies (Realtors and investors).  

And the icing on the cake- if your not using a buyer's agent, the listing agent just takes the full commission (6%) for the property.  

Had some cash saved up from working a full-time job in logistics and a part-time job teaching tennis, and bought a fixer-upper for $29,000 with a tenant in place at $700 (sounds like the $30,000 pig, right?)

Or, if not abandoned, left to set long enough, damp and full of mud, that they will have little value.  

Ideally, I would love to get involved full time - looking for inspiration there & hoping most people are doing it full time?...

That means that if you normally make $5k/mo, but temporarily make $3k/mo until you return to work after two mortgage payments are due, but can show at least $4k extra liquid, your full $5k/mo income can be used to qualify you.

My mom and I will be working full time but try to manage the first few properties.

I have recently finished my basement out with a full apartment.  

@Brandon JohnsonWe got 5.5' in our personal home and took out two full sheets of rock.