Whether that be starting the side hustle of real estate investing, or finding a new job, but, personally, I would not suggest you leave a well paying job until you have started down the path of real estate investing on the side.

The project went so well my friend went 50/50 on a second multi-family in Berwyn a block from the Metra.

Brokers (versed in these development deals to help you negotiate the right contract terms), Lenders willing to fund a construction and permanent loan, architects & engineers vs in land development to help site plan the project, contractors to price the project to help dial in your UW. 

The current rents are well below the medium for the area.

Well, I guess actually reading the Due on Sale clause is in order: :-)"18.

As @Charles Carillo said, you can make the most of that time, but most people just waste the 4-5 years and then end up doing something unrelated to their degree field anyway.Maybe look into a Trade School, like an electrical one....nice clean work that pays really well.

It almost never ends well. 

Ive spoken to PM's down there as well as Clayton himself.

I believe my clients are happy with their first investments (purchased with me and managed by me) as well.

I'd leave a message and tell them since they have not responded to your multiple inquiries and you have not received the rent they collected in a timely manner, that you will be contacting your lawyer as well as the licensing board to file a complaint.