A good rule of thumb is to have 3-6 months of expenses (mortgage, utilities, insurance, etc.) set aside per property for emergencies.

I am sure I will be very publicly wrong, and you all can make fun of me in two years, when stocks double and real estate prices crash 20% from here, but I just don't know how you can watch this industry, this closely, for this long, and not be raring to go in the current environment. 

Nice try, but this time does not count.In order to meet 750 hours, your wife will need one of the below:- do something else real estate related, like wholesaling or realtor- actively work on expanding your rental portfolio - have an extensive DIY rehab, like a month-long full-time rehab (and then she might need another kind of rehab)- a calamity such as multiple properties damaged in a storm where she will have to deal with insurers and contractors- something else out of the ordinaryAgain - if all you have is 9 single-family properties with stable tenants and typical occasional maintenance - you don't have enough work to collect 750 hours.

Insurance liability, I personally know 2 families that lost their children in home pools.

Noone bring me any REALLY good deals for the next 1-15 days, or I am subject to counter claims...Real estate industry.... get your act together.

They are DESPERATE to find insurance and are striking out everywhere!!

I'm starting to realize that investing is something I want to consider learning for long term as I spend more time in this industry.

I have some experience in commercial and industrial real estate.

All this is why, I believe, it's a rare thing in the REI industry. 

The more properties you walk and the more industry conversations you have, the better you’ll get at identifying these opportunities.