It is a big help in many ways...1- You have access to see everything all agents see instead of just what the public sees2- You don't have to wait for an agent to show you a property or write up an offer3- You get a commission (usually you can use toward a down payment)4- If you invest out of state, you get a referral fee (again usually you use toward down payment)My advise is (unless you are making a profession of being an agent) sign up w/ a broker that doesn't charge too much on transactions or monthly fees. 

Starting with student rentals.

Could it be a boarding house, especially if there is demand from college students?

You don't have to be a full-time student at the school. 

Take a good look at student housing see below.Locate and attend 3 different local REIA club meetings great place to meet people gather resources and info.

They only have $30k in student loan debt and make over $110k/yr currently.

Atlanta is in the top 10 US markets for student housing.Locate and attend 3 different local REIA club meetings great place to meet people gather resources and info.

@Jason HairstonGreat questions.I was looking at low income stuff as well as student rentals.  

And I'm definitely a student of Nasar's.

We are both just under 30 years old, I have a steady, decent paying job, excellent credit, but his career is uncertain and we both have a good amount of student loans.