Getting a license will teach you about the law, regulations. 

Finally deciding (after like the fifth webinar) to get off my butt and get my first property.Hoping to add to my team and build a solid network of realtors, contractors, future partners and like-minded individuals here. 

Homevestors has a 3-4. there are a rockpile of individual ones there.

"If an individual keeps or is seeking to keep an animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks in housing, an owner, lessor, lessor's agent, owner's agent, or representative of a condominium association may request that the individual submit to the owner, lessor, agent, or representative reliable documentation that the individual has a disability and reliable documentation of the disability-related need for the animal, unless the disability is readily apparent or known.

As private lenders, we prefer this as it gives us more comfort that the purpose of the transaction is business purpose and we are not providing a loan for an individual's primary residence.  

He can teach you how to set up a team of professionals to help you invest from a distance.You'll obviously need someone to manage it so start by going to www.narpm.org and search their directory of managers.

Most of them are sold individually so buying the entire 4plex doesn't come up as often.

Although the pre-licensing class teaches you real estate, the class doesn't necessarily touch on all of the important parts of being a successful agent. 

You can move in and get renters to live with you just keep in mind most cities only allow 3 unrelated individuals living at one address.

You still have several options, depending on if you want to invest directly in individual properties or be a bit more removed:Full-service turnkey investment: Should be mostly passive after you do your due diligence and pick a provider, but don't skimp on your homeworkYou choose which props to purchase, but have no control over tenanting choices, some say in large maintenance expensesAvg cost for solid B/B+ prop in Birmingham (and some other markets but this is the one I have data for, since it's my market) is about $100k per door; you'll pay market price for a tenant-ready, fully rehabbed propertyPartnering with someone who does the on-the-ground stuff while you provide capitalCan be passive if your partner really knows their stuff, but more likely you'd be fairly involved with the choices madeMore control since you call the shots with your partnerYou can pick which markets and price points you're interested inPotential for higher returns (ie buying distressed and then forcing equity through renovation) if your partner is experienced and can execute consistentlyInvesting in a syndicateMany investors pool funds to invest in much bigger projects like commercial space or large MFRs, or in larger portfoliosVery passive, investors are not responsible for project vetting or management, but you have no controlMay have higher bar for entry, some syndicates require large investments and you'll need to have liquid cash on handBuying shares in a REITLike an ETF but comprised of real estate investmentsVery passive, but no control over which assets are held in the fundHighly liquid, easy to buy and trade, lower bar for entryEverything is a trade-off between passivity and control, time and money.