Someone with limited ability to manage 2 or 3 SETS of contractors is not going to have successful rehabs.

Being an agent is different than a w2 where you get guidance from a manager, or higher up.

My first thing is to start built relationships with realtors and property managers.

I am based in Virginia and licensing requirements here seem manageable.

From there, you have to decide whether you want to be a landlord or hire a property manager.

That's where good people live, and good people make good tenants.But before you put money down on a house, I would find a quality property manager.

It’s impressive that you managed to keep your monthly expenses relatively low while securing a strong rent of $4,500.Your background as a Realtor and the benefits you leveraged as a veteran clearly gave you an edge.

Then you can self-manage and learn all about tenants, contractors, etc. 

I was also planning to work for a property managing firm to learn the ropes of the state and local codes while continuing to invest.

Somehow they manage to live with it.