I am interested in making connections, learning new ideas on how to improve our properties, offering help where I can, and of course, finding more properties. 

It sounds like an ideal moment to either plow some more money into savings or seek private funding.Perhaps if you find a modest flip you can infuse cash into your system in a hurry and build your network at the same time?

I am getting a really sneaky suspicion that they are stealing money and finding ways to charge unnecessary fees and want honest feedback from anyone who has recently dealt with them.

It's pretty common to find 2x more rental units available than homes for sale.   

If you are looking for properties, and find a good deal, you can sell it, and make a commission, and 2nd bonus is you make investor friends so when its time for you to invest you have partners.

I'd also network with other Realtors to identify clients relocating to the area looking for temporary placement while they find or build their new home.

Of course, if you can find a property where you can add a 2nd bathroom or maybe a half, you'd be better off in the random case of a toilet clog.

Hello Everyone,I hope this message finds you well.

How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

She's asking me to manage the house for her in exchange for a $200 monthly fee (for example, I could list the house for $2700 and give her $2500).This would include finding tenants in the same way I do for my own tenants, and managing the property after it is rented as it is only 4 min away from my home.