How do you deal with internal conflicts among tenants (cleanliness in common areas, noise, etc.)Any other comments/info would be greatly appreciated!

At least once a year internal inspection, multiple drive-by or exterior inspections.I like to base inspections on risk level.

Go buy a book on bigger pockets, internalize the knowledge and take action. 

@Tony R Fox intern with a flipper.

I expanded my search to international markets based on countries I've visited and connections.

Great to see another international investor here! 

. :) If you're super serious about investing, you might even want to reach out to a real estate brokerage that works with investors to see if they need hired help or an intern during the year you're off, and then you can REALLY learn the ropes of investing at the same time you're studying to get your RE license.

I am willing to take on additional risk (in the forms of higher turnover, repairs, evictions, etc.) if the returns are high enough to make it worth it (I'm thinking of it as small cap or international stocks).

Flipping PropertiesIf the primary objective of your real estate business, or one of your real estate businesses, is to buy, potentially fix up an existing property and resell it within one year, the Internal Revenue Service can consider that to be an active trade or business.

Chris DeVries at Colliers International Los Angeles will be able to assist you.