One tactic you could use is to occasionally take a few small jobs on the off chance that they are planning on selling (or not, but would consider it) and therefore open to someone solving their "problem" quick and easy.

@Mike Fletcher There's the occasional fixer but those sell with multiple offers.

Other than five minutes a month of accounting and an occasional phone call with my property manager or a contractor, I never think about my rentals.You say that you can't go sit on a beach while the money comes in, but that's pretty much what we do.  

I utilized this very method for well over 30 years - not earning any assessable income during that time and periodically either borrowed against appreciated assets and/or occasionally cashing in some gains where there was no tax on the profits (usually a residence)Some Life Insurance products can also be used - in conjunction with retirement planning.

Yes I occasionally had to spend money on repairs and manage a gardener from far away, but at the end of the day, the pros were much more than the cons.

So far I'm reading books, attending seminars, REI clubs, going to the occasional open house and learning from Biggerpockets material like webinars, podcasts, forums, and blog posts.1)  What else could I be doing aside from learning, networking and saving money?

Sure you'll have the occasional rotten egg, but most of the time you won't. 

While overcharges dur happen occasionally, that is not how a reputable company would typically handle it

I'd say your diet is probably more important albeit the occasional heart rate increase and  dopamine production is extremely valuable also.

I find he is one of the most fair, professional and rational people who post here and yes, occasionally, he spices it up with a bit of sarcastic humor.