Please, any information would be valuable.

Even if you don’t close as many deals as you’d like being part time, the knowledge and experience you’d gain is a plus! 

Still renting and saving up for first home but slowly gaining knowledge about the correct steps in this journey. 

I am going to take a step back and gain more knowledge before I continue.

In listening to podcasts of the folks who've been around and seeing what they say when posting, they've all been great at building relationships with key people, fostering those relationships and to be frank, they have no GAIN by spending time on the forum helping us new folks, but they do. 

However, the years 2012-2014 are a period of nonqualified use since the home was not principal residence during those yearsPeriod of nonqualified use3 yearsTotal ownership period6 yearsTotal gain($350,000 − $200,000)$150,000Nonexcludable gain(3/6 × $150,000)75,000You must report a $75,000 gain for non-qualified use.The remaining $75,000 ($150,000 − $75,000) of gain can be excluded under 500k exclusion because you meet the two-year ownership and use tests for the home and has not excluded another gain in the previous two years. 

Your big national firm seems to taking advantage of you and you will spend a lot before you gain anything.

If you are Solo 401k eligible, you can gain checkbook control without the need for a custodian.

Thank you for all your valuable info!

Gaining some insight from a Memphian with knowledge of the industry and to hear about your personal experiences in residential real estate would be incredibly helpful for my research paper.