They love LYFT/uber, walking and the growing subway system, and the occasional car/truck rental, some of your applicants may be the same due to changing demographics.

They'll likely remember you and you helpfulness may even pay off you somehow down the road. 

I have officially initiated my real estate education a couple of weeks back and wish to build a solid foundation to setup and grow a new source of income.

I then put that money toward a larger house for my growing family, but I've always been interested in real estate as an investment. 

I happen to live in a growing very aggressive market so was just wondering how much weight to put in the “grading”Joe

If I remember correctly, areas around San Antonio had some nice price to rent ratio.

LOL.  6) Remember you are in the for the long haul and don't sweat any eventual market down-turn. 

I would just remember that you don't want to insert yourself so much into the process that it impedes your property manager's ability to do his or her job.

This is not a case of "growing too fast - too much demand - or getting duped by your partners" all of which are excuses made by investors for this company.They are choosing to take advantage of unsuspecting investors.I have written so many times about the phrase "rent ready". 

I propose that you focus on one strategy/path of all those you listed, find the repeatable thing that you can turn into a business which will then grow and support you and enable you to quit your other job.Check out The One Thing, see if that helps.