A little bit of the question background: I'm a recent college grad with a good job in IT that requires 100% travel so my "home" location doesn't matter.

My initial thought was, I'll pay off my car and my credit cards, finally have a decent "emergency fund" and be able to jump start a good savings plan for my daughters college fund.

Real estate is something that has been on my mind for the past few years coming out of college(24 now) but the gumption to act has been missing.

I graduated from college with a business degree that emphasized real estate.  

Although, I understand in this day and age a college degree is respected but not needed to be a successful entrepreneur - I am grateful for my journey thus far of attending classes, working corporate jobs, completing internships, and traveling for modeling which ultimately has helped me to see everything that I don't want my life to be like after graduation therefore I now have the understanding of what I do want and along the way, I have learned how to truly value the necessity of self education and mentorship to acquire the keys to success. 

My son just graduated college with a degree in Music.

I am currently enrolled in a community college taking online courses to receive an associates degree in Network and Security in IT.

It seems to me that without owning an apartment complex, one cannot lawfully rent to college students AND make money.  2 students cannot afford the amount it costs to rent a house.  

If you rent to students the cost of clean up/ touch up, and refurbishing after a house full of college kids can get pretty expensive in a short time.  

So, in two years you really need that college fund, that's not a problem really, part of your note can be paid in a lump sum when it's needed.Much of risks and headaches have changed today, loans are set over to loan servicers who send you your money, you don't do collections or any administration of the loan anymore.You know your property better than any lender ever could, it's still your collateral and there are investors who can buy your note so you never have to be concerned about the property.Chad is right, it's about solving their problem.