Buying a home or any valued object that you will use for comfort could be viewed under the same light that @Thomas S. views it (e.g. vehicle, don't buy... use the bus).

Above you note 1 SFH investment every year till your 30 as the objective.  

From an objective standpoint, real estate in the smokies should be at a standstill, and it mostly is.

While your current cash flow is non-existent, it sounds like your long term objective is reasonable - when the time comes for you to leave your 9-5 job you will own it free and clear and it will provide decent cash flow.  

If it were fraud, then the party being supposedly defrauded would be objecting."

Both types of properties have advantages and disadvantages, and the decision is based on your investment objectives, risk tolerance, and available resources.

There are investors, operators, vendors, and other folks there all trying to achieve different objectives.

Look at tenants like machine objects who will help your business with their critisism and not let them destroy you emotionally.

Around 85% of all agents quit within two years because they realize it's not worth the effort.If you represent yourself as an investor, you lose the objectivity and experience of a REALTOR.

No weird voice tones or body language... just simple information that she can objectively look at.If she still objects then you're likely going to need to find a new REI strategy, as she's basically telling you no to this one.