If I can't, can anyone recommend any kind of income producing investment I can do with this brokerage account?

Same in an apartment, just that the value comes from raising the income that the apartment produces.

My area is quite expensive, are there any areas maybe in Arizona or Nevada that are attractive (Phoenix looked promising with their population growth and cost of living) that could produce more cash flow than my area?

STRs produce more income, but during a serious recession vacations will be some of the first sacrifices people make.

Easiest way to get started, join a high producing team.

As long as everything else in the relationship is healthy and happy I wouldn't take this as a reason to call it quits. 

Be careful about spending and keep healthy reserves held back .despite what gurus teach ive found it’s possible to move too quickly

It is clear that if you want to advertise on VRBO you'll sooner or later have to agree to their payments T&Cs in order to do so.Even though every year Airbnb continues to increase performance & bookings for my properties, VRBO is still the major producer.

Some other commercial vehicles that produce will against unseen economic forces are Mobile Home Parks and Self Storage Facilities. 

I personally won't invest in DC and the reason is that there is NO landlord rights here. yet if you want to play appreciation, this maybe the place since waterfront southwest is a huge hit.For MD, it is called landlord friendly here in BP yet this is a state that produces professional renters, who rents and knows ways how to pay no rents.