For the most part, the worst damage was some wet carpet that needed cleaned and dried.

So, assuming there's drywall behind the tile, the wet area will be larger than just a tile or two.

I like to use a backpack sprayer like the one in the photo below because you can just keep pumping and spraying as you go.Step #3 - Use a wide putty knife to scrape off the wet portion of the popcorn ceiling. 

Others, who are just getting their feet wet or new to the area, haven’t developed the resources or relationships and are having a really hard time.

@Zee Brooke yes I've looked at it and am familiar with the process already...Am assuming you all are saying that this is a very good way to get my feet wet in real estate...I do need to make some things happen within the next 30 days

Now the 1st floor tenant DEMANDED the reimbursement on her mattress topper, tempurpedic bed, bedsheets, and rug to be professionally cleaned ( her rug didn’t get wet but she said it was).

However if you don't have the time or expertise to get your own team together you may want to consider a good turnkey to get your feet wet.  

I'm excited to get my feet wet with the process and appreciate the feedback.  

im new to all this and just getting my toes wet learning, and i still live paycheck to paycheck, i have never used my vet bens for RE so i'm looking into using them now because the interest is so low, rent is still high here, and hard for the natives to pay (i relocated here for the job) there's got to be a way to take advantage of this. 

Don,Syndication through multifamily investing as a passive investor is a great way to get your feet wet in owning and also learning about MF investing.