If you just want to have a licence and do your own thing go for the least expensive option and doesn't have high productivity requirements and mandatory desk time and that kind of stuff.If you want to make money as an agent then pick the one that you feel has the best training and ongoing support as well as the office that will get more foot traffic.  

I ran the numbers on making the minimum payments (though for my situation it would have been for the 20 year repayment).

I ran into a similar problem and kind of directed my attention elsewhere

Charges were finally brought on the perpetrator this past February but I believe the case is still ongoing.

I ran the figures factoring the actual property taxes and estimated 5% for HOA.

Philip,  I actually still have an ongoing management agreement with City National Bank.  

I want the ongoing income.

The homes are typically at least 100 years old [read - lots of on going maintenance, even with full rehabs], they usually rent for around $500 per side [low end tenants that don't care about your property].I would highly suggest looking at some SFH that rent for at least $700 per month.  

It doesn't do on going communication but the front end stuff is seamless

I've been wanting to go into REI since 2003 but just didn't know enough about it, had a failed business, and ended up joining the Marine Corps and going to Iraq instead!