and it is a great way of networking with people who are not online. 

Account Closed would it not be beneficial to pay off the student loan faster?

A quick call to their accountant will confirm.  

I have done it before, and nothing bad happened, but I have heard some bad stories.Set up a bank account to accept rent, and another bank "trust" account to keep the security deposits.

It's important that the owner receive notices that their account is delinquent - I want to say that the fair debt collection act says you have to allow 90-days before you can start collection activity but don't quote me on that. 

Then make a journal entry-debit cleaning deposit payable and credit your rent income account.

Im just starting out and currently in an online realestate school but it's coming off as difficult.

It still seems like I could roughly break even on some of these properties, taking into account mortgage, property taxes, PMI, expenses, vacancies, etc., and I'd certainly benefit from the relevant tax incentives and would be earning equity, which is great—but is that enough?

I would take a look at their financials and see how many units owe money, what their aged owner report looks like (how many units owe over 30 days), ask what their collection process is, ask who their property management company is and check out the manager's reviews online.  

Account ClosedThanks, good advice on both.