Any other recommendations/suggestions are welcomed 

Personally, I kind of like the mix of having both.As to your question about investing in notes as a short term strategy, I'd second @Jay Hinrichs suggestion about checking out the Norris Group's trust deed/note investing offerings. 

I have a few deals I am looking at but what do you suggest for a college student still learning with a small amount of capital?

I would never talk anyone out of investing elsewhere but I would suggest a few things in so doing.

Suggestion, if you can’t buy it, please don’t tie them up with some long contract and then walk away when they no longer have time to sell to a real buyer. 

I didn’t suggest (or mean to suggest) that immigration was driving most of the growth in the Des Moines area.

As such, I would not suggest continuing with the FED now that you have accepted payment. 

In order to break into the circle I'd suggest going to a few first and just getting to know those "top dogs".

Could anyone provide some suggestions how much we should pay our agent if we decide not to sell and rent it instead?

I would suggest True Title.