Excited about learning from those doing it at a much higher level than me, and networking and educational opportunities seem excellent as well!

The only way you can break that log jam right now is severely lowered fed rates, but the level of federal debt is such that they're in a no-win situation because there's going to be little appetite these days for buying 1% fed notes from overseas.The fed rates were kept too low for too long.

As a general rule of thumb if the property has a ground level commercial requirement in order to show sufficient hardship to seek a residential use change the property should be located in a location that is not conducive to commercial use i.e residential street, close but not as marketable as properties located on neighborhood's primary commercial corridor etc. 

I’m looking for connections with local property managers and realtors as well as for general information on the Rochester rental market, including cost-to-rent ratios, saturation levels, and regulations.

Completely renovated main level:* Demoed and redid kitchen with new appliances* Refinished floors and reglazed bathroom* Replaced the roofComplete demoed and finished the basement and landscaping* Replaced half bath with full and added 2 bedrooms* Replaced entire plumbing including sewer line* Added second washer dryer* installed stamped concrete patio and walkway plus fence* All new landscapingWhat was the outcome?

This range often lacks economies of scale and doesn’t attract institutional-level investors.

Also, plan on getting capacity for a level 2 electric vehicle charger and capacity for electric ovens/stoves and electric dryers.

Like someone else said, your RE licensure exam is going to touch on creative financing in a very surface level way, if at all.

There's no right or wrong way to do this, just varying levels of risk and the only proper route is the one you understand. 

What level of engagement do I really want with my properties?