Getting a private money loan, Seller financing, maybe a military loan or someone gifting you the property are about the only options.

I believe that single family homes make the easiest rentals as well.

So I plan on spending at least 3-4 hours a week actively participating on Bigger Pockets, because its the easiest and most direct way to not only make connections but learn from experts

What is the easiest and most efficient way to go about this?

I know it’s the easiest path, but not the safest.

My loan officer just told me that conventional federal guidelines do not allow a gift for a down payment on an investment property.My question is, if I put the gifted money to buy stocks, then sell it and transfer back to my bank account within a week.

As long as you have access to some trades (electrician, plumber, etc) or can call the property management company for any fixes, then managing a condo is the easiest type of asset to manage long-distance.What time of year does the lease typically turn over? 

Easiest pet rent there is.

What’s the easiest most cost effective way to do this?

I’ve only been investing a few years but that Auburn house was the easiest money I’ve ever made.The market in Auburn got pretty hot (as with plenty of other cities in the US I’m sure) so I sold my condo a few months back for a nice profit.