I am also wondering how to structure the lease the best for easiest way to get property back if default.  

(owner by Farmers, so a Farmers agent would be your point of contact)I have found them to be the easiest to deal with in regards to rental properties.

The easiest thing to do (because attorneys unfairly trade stress for money) is to call the person who stole your images and ask him nicely to stop so you do not have to devote a bunch of your time exposing their hustle.If you want to play with them a bit first, tell them you would like to arrange a showing of the beautiful mustard colored $1000/mo rental and see what steps they offer you.  

I just wanted to let you know that conventional financing maxes out at 10 mortgages and also if you plan to do cash out refinances on properties, it is easiest on properties to do this when you have the first four properties. 

House-hacking" is probably the easiest way to get started in Real Estate investing. 

My question is, as a first time investor, what is the best or easiest way to obtain financing? 

No need to wait until they fall behind on payments, although that's the easiest breach to prove.

If all goes well, my plan is to gift my tree business to my brother, then just pay attention to my REI.

I have been known to have the "gift of gab" in my life - so, I guess now is as good a time as any to really ramp that up a bit.  

The easiest way I know of is to find a deal and bring it to investors.