Lenders will want to see 2 active open trade-lines for the past 24 months with on time monthly payments or a credit reference letter from a creditor. 

HI Dean,You can always start off by house hacking meaning you live in one UNIT or ROOM and renting out the other vacant units/rooms to offset your monthly mortgage payment.There are several ways to run and make sure you are maximizing your rental income while keeping your living expense as low as possible.

The new tenants, starting their lease on September 1, have asked to move their furniture in earlier.Can the current tenants request the keys back since their lease isn't over until August 31?

I'd like to make some rental friendly upgrades and upgrades In general to my 1910 home but don't know where to start. 

(trading it for our time and effort though).Hope you get through it smoothly.  

If you need liability coverage only, you can get a personal umbrella insurance policy from most carriers, likely your current property insurance company would be the one I'd start with.~ Lindsey

Why can't you start with some smaller residential or small multifamily commercial properties to get your feet wet, show proof of concept and possibly try to take on larger deals.Or possibly find a local syndication group and become an employee under them learning the trade and finding a mentor in the space.

Let's start with first thinking how do your clients view you? 

Investing in real estate is not really that passive especially starting out.

It all starts with building your team.