You must manage your time (and skills), manage contractors, stick to a budget, and follow a strategy.

How you handle it depends on their behavior, your laws, and your skills.

My question: What's my best angle to dive into RE, given my skills and assets? 

Well, regardless of experience, people are going to assume younger people are not as qualified, skilled or yes, even experienced (haha, I know it is goofy!).

I started with nothing, so having capital partners was important as I had skills and experience without cash. 

Ideally, you want a professional career (skilled labor) and a stable multi-year job.

Something to keep in mind is that the overwhelming majority of the individuals that work out there are skilled tradesmen who could go to a different jobsite at any time for various reasons.

Think 5nights a weekx4hrs let's say 6-10pm waiting tables, or driving Uber or if you have the skills something that pays way better. 

There are ways to offset Passive Income with Renewable Energy Programs such as the Federal Tax Credits, Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS), and Cost Segregation Depreciation, however, Capital Gains is another story.........This is where a skilled accountant is critical.

I own and manage a short-term and just finished with long-term in Seattle (Belltown & N Beacon Hill) and also a real estate agent.People with skills are always in need, for sure.