The less leveraged you are the easier funding is.

If not then it will help you see what areas you need more help in @Dave Van Horn just published a book That you should probably read to educate yourself.

It says in Montana, real estate brokers and sales people do not require more education to become a property manager.

You could then leverage this into other areas (close or far) and potentially out of state! 

Experience with rehab (either flips or BRRRRs) can dictate the leverage, as well as your credit.  

Make sure your tax person is leveraging every advantage for you in terms of depreciation schedules on furniture, maximizing your involvement as an "active RE investor", etc, etc.Finally, as you build your team of PM, cleaner, handyman, etc. make sure you retain a fair amount of control.

Why wouldn't an agent just provide the tour & teach the education?

I don't want to Refinance and leverage my personal residence and go upside down in the next RE correction.  

They will be requiring you show them proof of “alternative credit” such as utility bills, rental payments, even education costs sometimes.

You just have to figure out how to leverage it and to use your 700 horsepower personality in a profitable way.