Maybe what you have most closely resembles a property management company in which the PM company collects rents, pays expenses on behalf of owners out of rents, and then remits net rents with a statement to owners.I don't necessary think that's optimal as you'd have to charge a fair market PM fee and would open yourself up to SE taxes on what sounds like it would otherwise be rental real estate income.You should talk to a CPA/EA that will sit down with you and have the deep conversation about an optimal way to structure things taking into to consideration everyone's facts, circumstances and goals.

Depending on how deep OP's pockets are, I just saved him easily $30,000....Folks with zero experience making a quick stop by the mortgage industry on the way to bankruptcy court are a dime a dozen.It's easier to become President of the United States of America than it is to start your own mortgage company that doesn't go BK, with zero industry experience.

so looking to dig as deep as I can with sellers or realtors.  

I am very new to all of this and am eager to learn a little bit about everything before I dive into a focused niche.

Hi, Good work in diving into the numbers.We own property in that part of town also, just a few streets over. 

It's never too late but I would encourage you to learn all the options before diving in.

Learn as much as you can before diving into this crazy world of investing!! 

Investors here have deep pockets, cash and access to backroom deals.

MIND YOUR KEY- Don’t put your vehicle keys deep in your pockets or purse with items that can get in the way.

It would've been more, but the family I stayed with kept feeding me various forms of deliciously deep fried pork at every meal.