The property market here is relatively soft at the moment, and with a lot of foreign pensioners comes a lot of distressed situations.

The floor isn't soft, there isn't an oder, but I tend to be anal about any water issues.From where I sit there are two options.  

I've been thinking about getting licensed in order to build my sales skills in real estate and learn while doing.

It took 3 weeks of tenant screening to find a guy with a steady income, crap credit, and handyman skills. 

It depends on your negotiating skills."

I would look to make sure you have a strategy you understand and a solid business plan to go with it first (you have some idea about your financing, if you plan or rehabbing you need some skills or someone on your team who does, etc, basically all the moving parts of investing that you can read about all over BP) so that when you start interviewing a realtor, both you and him/her are clear about what is going to be  expected from the relationship. 

There are tons of moving parts, and a copious amount of skill sets necessary (managing people, determining rehab costs, buying at the correct price, picking a good location, to name a few).  

If I do real estate investment banking and then work for an reit or realestate private equity (I know, both very competitive) will that skill set be too far separated from my above goal ?

My business partner and I have experience in managing properties and are eager use our skills to begin our company.

A good list paired with good negotiation skills will bring you success if you stay consistent with it.