Being a RE agent/investor/owner broker/ NPN: Pros: Having your own business, strong sense of accomplishment, being able to go whatever direction you want, freedom, getting to know the business from the retail end.Cons: Easy to get off track, inconsistent cash flow, must be super driven, long hours.Banking (Commercial Loan servicing/Bond markets)Pros: Weekly paycheck, lots of folks to learn from, good business models to learn from, intimate knowledge of how the entire process works from the bank side.Cons: 2 weeks vacation per year, co-workers, bad bosses, limiting environments. 

Does that sound like an environment you would like to work in?

One thing I would be aware of is if your tenant has a hyper allergy or similar reaction to mold, even mold remediation is not going to create an environment mold free enough for them.  

If that's your REI strategy, good luck as it's just like the problems with HOAs - - the environment can change over night and there's just no defense.

I am seeing 'investors' picking up homes in my neighborhood to rent out and this is in a rising interest rate environment.  

You will probably have to involve- architect, and environment verification consultation etc,..

The retail environment is definitely more "service oriented" at least if you want to attract non-box/corporate tenants. 

Given the current interest rate environment, most people are happy (even thrilled) to earn 8-10% on their money.

Wife and I moved out of our county house (townhouse) into a house in the city so we could be closer to work and live in a more fun environment.

In a walk to school student rental environment, each 10x10 bedroom can rent for a baseline minimum.