I second the advice on screening - screening is always a crucial part of renting, but I'd argue even more so when you're living in close proximity to your tenant(s).

I went to live with my grandma for a short time, eventually the family re-united as it was proven my dad's heart attack was from agent orange related sickness which meant he'd be disabled/on disability for the rest of his life.After holding the warehouse job for 3 years, I found myself at age 21, continuing to work at the warehouse in Groveport Ohio (A suburb of Columbus) making about $11 an hour.

However you're kinda comparing apples and oranges as well.

Before venturing into real estate investments, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your goals and objectives.

This is, for me, a crucial thing to know as it basically determines whether rents can go up in the future.

I dont see anything under 400k tho, that price is gone, my 2 fam was in the 300 range in 2018 and its around 480k ish now. im an agent btw w KW, see my IG > newyourcityrealtor happy to talk. newark is an option, but gonna be rough, just dont go south or cross the cemetery, or maybe West Orange, i just dont think those places will appreciate as much. im also putting in offers in Bayonne, but taxes r a bit high there. even w FHA if ur total is less than 3k a month, u can cashflow ie. its a 6bed 2bath u can rent each floow 1700-1900/m easy even in the roughest areas where mine is

I can see clearly now that all my colors are orange.

Apples and Oranges, my opinion is that it has already been established the OP has to do home work, and not allow dogs with a prior aggressive history. 

I will certainly say that it has helped me better understand real estate, given the fact that most of the underwriting process involves numbers :)Additionally, understanding a balance sheet and other financial statements is crucial in this business, and without having those courses in my curriculum, I’m not sure if I’d be as into learning on my own.But overall, the books and podcasts brought me to RE investing

Once you are at a place where you are living for free and have access to some capital and the ability to float for 12 months without income, then you can quit.Yes it sucks to defer your plans for maybe 6 more months, but you will be learning important parts of the business the whole time and at the same time making sure that you have a better chance of success for those crucial first few deals.