Best online study and license prep sites.2.

I think the sweet spot is 4-5 bedrooms, 3-4 bathrooms, a fabulous Master Sweet (since they are likely footing the bill), sleeps 12 - 20, tons of activities (installed a pool table, corn hole game, etc...), and in my location of AZ a pool. 

You could certainly use your skills to subsidize your income while you break into the game.

Something that also does online applications and credit checks etc?

If you want to do that in the RE world, you should explore wholesaling, that is the only way I am aware that you can still be in the game and network without having to have any money.

• What are the average rents for the area (there are several online tools that can help you out with this)• What are the schools like in the area• Is the area primarily SFH, Multi-family or commercial? 

Start a document that outlines every system in a home and start compiling pricing information based on information from contractors (I used to be a GC and I'd rather give someone a price per SF over the phone rather than visit the property thinking they're ready to work), information from other investors, asking questions online, friends and family that have had work completed on their homes. 

There is some hands on exp but it’s mostly all theory and most of the information can be found online(I took a couple of electrical engineering classes) and to be honest the first thing most students do when they have any assignment and project is hop on Google....oh wow here’s the entire information or 90% of it and explained better....... most of what’s taught in school is now free online soooooo at this point it kind of makes you question traditional education since so much can be learnt for free or at a significant cheaper cost.

Good luck -getting in the game is important so don’t get paralysis by analysis. 

Since I don't currently have an agents license I am considering wholesaling as my "in" into the game.