If you don't like W2 work, that's ok, then start your own business to earn some income.

I'm a realtor / investor who actually owns several smaller apartment buildings / units and have always relied on a simple napkin analysis of: How much cash flow I wanted to earn after downpayment.

I bought a few properties during the peak of the market 2004-2006 which pretty quickly went underwater shortly thereafter. 

IE weekends .. and earn while you learn.you get instant credibility and you surround yourself with others that are in the business doing deals.you don't want to surround yourself with others that have no money and are in search of how to do this business... 95% of those with the situation you posted simply fade away and never do anything in the industry... and 50% of all agents fade away.. but you still learn the details and laws of your area and you never know when that mover and shaker takes you under their wing...

Recently earned FL State Sales Assoc.

I could potentially airbnb the other unit if I didn't have anyone in it due to being in a major cityI'm earning around 75k in my current jobMy credit is around 825, last I checked.

Legal issues aside if you want to earn money slinging deals and connecting buyers and sellers together you should go to class and become licensed.

I'd also assume that they would tend to remain great tenants if they held a rent to own option and it would be harder for them to walk away if they were earning equity in the property so you could count on the cash.

The other impact is landlords realizing they can earn more with short term vacation rentals than long term traditional rentals in driving traditional rents up.

@Jake CampoliAlthough you don't make a lot of money, you seem to be very good at saving and investing the money that you earn.