It appears that this process may not be the best way to get the ball rolling. 

Many people waste years, in no thousands of dollars, before coming to this realization.There is still a roll for you to play, even if you're not "passionate about real estate".Think of it like a live professional sporting event...There are players on the field, fans in the stands and vendors (usually selling fan gear) inside and outside the stadium or arena.Everyone has a part to play, and when it goes well, everyone has a great time.The folks on the field are the ones who should be on the field.

I invested the last few months passing the pre-licensing course.

I can’t get a detailed interior estimate until after the pre-scheduled inspection.

That is why pre paying a mortgage is usually a bad idea. 

Ask for the rent roll.

However, it is a C, C- neighborhood, with and unusually low rent roll (and, as I investigate Craigslist, Zillow, and apartments.com, the competition seems to have rents that aren't much higher).

Find a good real estate attorney.When your tenant / buyer exercises their option, the purchase contract should already be pre-filled, so there is little need to have a real estate agent then.

Keep it rolling.  

From crowdfundinsider.com:"The most important restriction is that companies can only raise $1,000,000 in a rolling 12-month period using these new regulations."