Some of the courses you outlined are also available online and in person through continuing education courses for people with licenses.

@Selena Harrison, I would just continue to do what you're doing: research, read everything you can get your hands on, and link up with your local REI's groups and meetup.com.

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.

I realize that the number of leads will be slim, but they're free and easy to access, so I do want to continue using CL and driving for dollars.

Prices can't continue at the rapid pace that it was on. 

Lock in your money now and as rates continue to rise you'll see more and more rentors staying in the rental market longer.But beware because the rising interest rate climate could change quickly and with a correction we could see govt policy in a heartbeat that reduces barriers to borrowing and ownership. 

Continue paying rent/utilities until a replacement tenant is found.

Something to keep in mind with STR, that's tied to why REI is a smart game to play - control is the name of the game.You want to control the guests and rates (vet them in hopes of avoiding property damage, set rates to attract those willing to pay more for quality)You want to control the costs (furnishings, consumables, cleaning/repair/plumbing/electrical)You want to control the property (choice of property, location, financing terms, well or city water, septic or city sewer, etc)This is all going to be very hard to do, if not impossible, if you don't OWN THE PROPERTY. 

When you know that you have a buyer for any deal that you contract, you want to keep them happy by continually bringing them deals.

@Jacob D AdamczakThere is no one right answer and a lot of other factors beyond just the simple one at hand come into play - age, other savings, goals, time you expect to be with this employer, etc.That company match paired with the tax deduction you get on your own contribution are essentially free and immediate return on investment.