Thankfully, I have a background in Customer Support, Sales, and collegiate level athletics which I think all point me in the direction of pursing the world of Real Estate Investment.

Glad you are preparing for life after the NFL, as so many athletes do not do so.

Hey guys, I’m a professional athlete that plays overseas and this up coming summer is when I’ve decided to buy my first two rental properties.

You might benefit more from looking at the experiences and investing habits of high function professionals like medical professionals, professional athletes and successful business folk in other time demanding fields.  

This is the kind of planning pro athletes and people in high tech have to do, they know the here and now can't last forever.

For the most part, people are much more skeptical on solar because it's installed on the roof, impacts athletics, and it's something that needs to be "dealt with" (either maintenance, contract with supplier, etc.).As @Charlie MacPherson added, mini-splits are a great value-add and through mass saves you can get a 10 year 0% loan if they having heating capability.As for Geothermal -- A real challenge can be ground rock in this area.

I am also a former pro athlete and now multifamily investor.

I moved to Phoenix, AZ in March 2017 from Miami, FL with my girlfriend after she got a new position, and immediately got my Real Estate License (former career in college athletics).

As a complete aside, here's a few other snippets about me: my cat, Bucket, is an 8 yr old Cornish Rex and thinks he's a human toddlerI've been married to my AMAZING husband for 4 yearsI enjoy reading & knittingI try to work out a few times a week (but my husband is the major athlete in the family with marathons, triathlons, etc.)I SOO appreciate Bigger Pockets and all of you members! 

There is a large recreational athletics facility called the crossplex in 35208.