I would encourage you to look at a house hacking type of strategy to get started.

I strongly encourage you to partner with someone so you have a saftey net of at least 10K but preferably all closing costs, and then 2X of all expected holding costs.Feel free to reach out if you want to discuss it further.

Do you ever try to encourage or assist them to get started?

The company encouraged this and gave a 10% discount for paying a full year in advance if you met their criteria for an established baseline etc. so it was a win-win situation.If I was the owner with someone wanting to rent from me and pay a full year I would require a "baseline" to qualify which would probably be something along the lines of renting for at least 1 full year previously with no issues.

@Jeremy Helsabeck I’ll be the first to encourage you to take advantage of living in one of the best RE markets in the country.

The only one who gave a meaningful answer just cited minor stuff in the apartment (like not liking the color of the tub, etc.).

After listening to Bigger Pockets Podcast for two months and reading a couple of the recommended books, I decided to take action ( highly encouraged by the guests in the shows ). 

Being a realtor, property manager, renovating houses, analyzing deals, residential, commercial, etc.I'd encourage you to go to the local REIA / REIC and meet people. 

I would highly encourage it.

I will post here as I move forward in analysis and I encourage others to post their deals here also.