Start by reading the Ultimate Real Estate Investing Guide: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides/ultimate-real-estate-investing-guide/introduction2.

As I approach my 20th year as a real estate broker in Texas and my 30th year as a small business owner, I've decided to think outside the box and use what I have to get what I want.  

Check the Facebook group "Quad Cities Real Estate Investors" I can do some more research and interview some if you'd like a broker that plays in the space all day.  

If you have a reliable trust-worthy agent who has connections in most markets you don't need a PM. 

pid=2114Houston Real Estate Highlights in August, 2024:• Single-family home sales declined 8.3 percent year-over-year• Days on Market (DOM) for single-family homes went from 43 to 47 days• Total property sales were down 11.2 percent with 8,730 units sold• Total dollar volume declined 8.8 percent to $3.5 billion• The single-family median price was down 0.3 percent to $336,940• The single-family average price rose 0.9 percent to $421,912• Single-family home months of inventory registered a 4.5-months supply, up from 3.2 months last August• Townhome/condominium sales continued to decline, falling 16.7 percent, with the median price statistically flat at $226,000 and the average price declined 1.2 percent to $258,952.

@Natalie JohnstoneAll real estate you're making some assumptions. 

The recent settlement involving the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is set to have a significant impact on the real estate industry, including for real estate investors.

BP wont let me post the link but you can search "Investors Guide to Memhis Real Estate" anywhere you listen to podcasts and you can find the 2024 Memphis, TN Investment Zip Code Break Down episode. 

What is the short answer for someone that is not a real state professional and who is not married to one?

When first learning about real estate, one quickly realizes there are about 10,000 different ways/markets/options for investing in real estate.