Walking away at this point is a perfectly good choice too.

Everyone has personal choice.

Multi units are you safest start point for beginners when cash flow is the priority.Put as small of a DP as possible as equity in a rental is basically money lying dead eating up your cash flow.Screening of tenants is your number one priority and keep in mind buying a occupied unit will likely require getting rid of tenants and replacing with your own selection.

I'm having a hard time quitting a job for a small company where I know and like the owner, to start as an assistant property manager even though I think that it could be a good career choice to help with investing/managing my own properties in the future.I guess my question is...

BUT once you survive it, you almost systemically make better choices going forwards. 

A very seasoned investor will have a different response than a seller with emotional ties to the property.If the house is in great shape, top of the market range for size/age/quality,  sellers are usually only concerned with price and who is most likely to get to the closing table...On the opposite end of the spectrum, if the property has condition issues, then it comes down to who is able to take on that burden (cash/203(k)) and get to the closing table.If competing with regular buyers, waving inspection/financing contingencies and buying with cash can make a difference, but that also depends on how deep of a discount you're trying to get.If competing with cash buyers on a distressed property, you pretty much don't have a choice but to wave contingencies and come in with a decent offer.

My post was very clear and very simple, learn from it or don't, your choice.

These are just some of the aspects that make owning property a wise choice.

I will leave the choice of the new sources up to you because you know your area and I don't but others will normally have a better return on time invested and better flexability if not dealing with an agent barrier in place when negotiating.

Actually, if you read what Blago said about Obama's choice and Obama himself....I wouldn't hold my breath on that pardon....