When I acquired my own portfolio I did so largely by my own version of BRRR which involved paying cash for a property, fixing it up, renting it out and then a year later getting a Wells Fargo HELOC on them and using that money to buy another house.

This strategy involves having a third-party entity hold the replacement property while you complete the sale of your relinquished property.

Meanwhile our local properties were having increased cash flow without the effort involved with 2 hurricanes. 

I'm currently involved in a few projects myself, primarily in the fix-and-flip and BRRRR space, and I'm always on the lookout for lending partners.

Both are in a small market in Illinois, where I have family involved in real estate and construction, so it’s been a great way to jumpstart my multi-family journey.As I'm looking to expand, I’m particularly interested in out-of-state investing, since the DC area where I live is a bit too expensive for my investment goals.

Once most people find out what is involved with licensure they won't do it.

Understand the fees involved and calculate the total cost for an entire year of management so you can compare the different managers.

Using vouchers are a potential way for somebody with a lower income  ( like me or that teacher you mention) to step into homeownership -and it is a trick to get through all that is involved.  1- A mortgage (in my area)  will be higher than the amount of my voucher -so I am applying for a USDA Direct 502 rural loan.

I don't know how IL laws are but I think in most places a local municipality can only charge a fee to provide a service and the cost of the fee must roughly correspond to the work involved in providing the service.

I'm much more willing to let control go if there's no debt involved.