@Jordan MoorheadIf you are simply looking to make pretax contributions and solely invest in equities, then a big box company like Fidelity Investments or Schwab may be your best bet. 

You also need to be aware that custodians are passive in nature and simply process transactions at your direction.

If I were going to have someone else manage them B or C class (think blue collar, and maybe lower blue collar) would be fine.What I would suggest is make sure you get good enough deals where, if you decide in a year or two that this just isn't for you, you can sell the properties and not lose any money after all closing costs.As for books, honestly I find BP and simply networking with local investors more helpful. 

If homes are selling for no less than $300,000 (simply by looking at the MLS, more research is definitely needed) and rent wouldn’t exceed $2000, that’s not even close to the 1%.

In my opinion, the answer is off base.I've routinely seen agents simply release the Buyer from their Buyer-Broker agreement is they were unhappy. 

There has been talk of brick and mortar properties being taken over by online.For most retailers this is simply not true.

This stands in direct opposition to a capital intensive industry such as manufacturing where employee and owner skill may be less important than the company's fixed asset profile.While S179 is a valid strategy in the attempt to drive a taxpayer's taxable income below the 'threshold amount' so the SSTB receives the un-phased out Sec 199A deduction, a SSTB may not have the investments in fixed assets necessary to drive them below the threshold during the year unless they're already very close to the threshold.Some other ideas for taxpayers owning a SSTB to lower their taxable income:Roll taxable bonds into tax-exempt bonds.Life insurance & annuities.Real estate (it's BP after all).Oil and gas investments.Charitable gifts (including CRTs).Gifts to taxpayers with lower taxable income (powerful option is to gift a percentage of the business to a trust).If a SSTB is well above the threshold, a compelling case could be made that the business should be a C Corp in the current tax environment. 

If you value liquidity and want to accelerate your investment portfolio and net worth then continue to live as simply as possible and keep investing.

simply hire a plane and put the offer on an aerial banner.. to be flown over the sellers home.document it.. 

After several break-ins on prior rehabs, I decided to install security at all projects for two reasons, keep my contractors honest and notify me when unauthorized parties attempt access.