Looks like utilities are not split so owner would have to pay.

I lean toward the idea of never paying more than 50% equity into something if I can utilize than money somewhere else. 

An under-utilized approach to REI...two off the top of my head are ZER and XER, though have also been watching REI.UN, which offers ~6% return just from dividends alone.

Also, in FL at least they give more room for units where you pay the utilities.

The garbage industry does have Sales people.

You are in one of the few industries that can change your future in ways that a "job" will never be able to do. 

A good Mentor will do the equivalent with you in any industry including ours!.

I both am an investor and work in the industry.

We're looking at expanding from our current knowledge in the real estate industry (we both used to be agents in another state) and learn the ins and outs of flipping, wholesaling, and eventually renting. mostly looking to learn from the immense amount of knowledge within the community and hopefully share some of what we learned from the agents side as well. also hoping to meet up and network with others in the industry as well and get recommendations on good trade workers that work around the area as we haven't networked nearly at all since moving here.Looking forward to hearing and learning from you all.

Another item to consider in your plan is often times the utilities are not going to be separate, which may not be an issue when you live there but if you end up renting out your dwelling when you PCS elsewhere, your new tenant is not going to pay for their utilities plus the accessory dwelling unit.