It's admirable and I can tell you from growing up with it it will help grow many aspects of your life if you stick it out! 

Actually followed up with one who basically gave me all the negative aspects of RE.

How do you know if you have a great mentor or if should keep searching?

Those precious moments in the morning before my son wakes up are gold and I admit, sometimes I'm not as excited to see him as he is to see me when I've had a flow going.The best piece of advice I've gotten is to:Focus on 1 aspect of real estate investing.

Tony Robbins` Unshakeable is a good read on all aspects of how even a small investor if started early can amass a good amount of wealth and touches on advantages of investing through employer sponsored plans. my 2 cents

Often I'm looking at the listings and thinking "man, this sounds like a great situation for a person with defined knowledge of taking that and turning it into a diamond."

For example:IRAs - Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP-IRA, SIMPLE-IRAQRPs - 401k plans, profit sharing plans, defined benefit plans, etc.For real estate investing, the optimal plan type is a QRP that is intended for an "owner-only business."

.#3 - In writing, certain expectations and responsibilities were defined in no uncertain terms.

The two aspects to consider are matters of legal and tax considerations.  

Rent Breakeven Horizon: Full Weight (~5.33 Points)Note: The “breakeven horizon” is defined by Zillow as the point, in years, at which buying a home becomes less expensive than renting the same home.Share of Young Homes: Full Weight (~5.33 Points)Note: “Young Homes” refer to housing units built between 2010 and 2016.Building-Permit Activity: Full Weight (~5.33 Points)Note: This metric measures the number of unit permits pulled per 1,000 residents.Affordability & Economic Environment – Total Points: 20Housing Affordability: Double Weight (~5.00 Points)Note: This metric measures home price as a percentage of income.Maintenance Affordability: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)Note: This metric measures maintenance costs as a percentage of income.Population Growth Rate: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)Job Growth Rate: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)Unemployment Rate: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)Underemployment Rate: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)Median Credit Score: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)