I can assure you that the road to financial independence, the road to riches, the road to wealth, whatever you want to call it, is littered with failed attempts to do what you are describing.  

Would joining them and starting off as a real estate agent before I start wholesaling independently be a smart idea ?

It's a low-income independent senior living apartment.

You'll find out the value by getting an independent appraiser to appraise the property. 

I think if you really want to develop and mentor investors you’d want to create a system that weens them from you and provides a way to invest independently from you after 2-3 deals, otherwise, the mentoring looks like a play for equity using other peoples money. 

I would suggest you set the wheels in motion to plan for your future financial independence and THEN travel to your heart's content. 

Independent comps, skip trace owners in small volume, title checks, etc.

Get an independent agent. 

I do feel there is a much higher level of camaraderie among independent mortgage brokers, and we connect with many other brokers in other states; gladly referring business knowing the client will be in good hands, and there’s no expectation of kick back from us, other than insight on tips and tricks of what’s working for their business in their market.

Since you asked, one of my long term goals is to be location independent, and be able to live for long stints in Europe.