However investing in the stock market (in my opinion) takes more sophistication than just "saving" money in a fund managed by someone else.

Just my opinion.

I think I like this idea.)Thanks in advance for the thoughts and opinions!

My opinion would be that they are lying but would not actually tell them taht.I would tell them that as soon as you find a qualified applicant to take over the place you will release them from their lease.

(in my humble opinion)

Part of what's hard when you're starting out is deciding whose opinion to listen to.  

I don't really care for their opinion on rental rates, so I won't be having conversations with them about it.We know how much rent we need to get to make a decent profit on any given house, but I'd like to be able to figure what we should be getting, based on the market. 

Opinions on how I get the ARV and whether I should do a serious high-end rehab (getting rid of an office moving the bathroom to where the office was so I can expand the very cramped kitchen/ dining room so they can be two separate spaces and then finishing the two rooms upstairs which are currently wood paneling.)

In my opinion starting with a house hack is the most efficient path forward.

I plan to change that and will probably post for opinions/ideas in the near future.