Lead generation is a big skill for the trade --- that's part of doing sales. 

With a competitive market you need an agent who has good communication skills and can write offers that stand out.

For example, your tenants are business people with more complex needs, and often good negotiating skills and a attorney or CPA looking over major transactions (such as a new lease).

You can then parlay those skills and experience into a 2nd property -- either the next house hack or a standalone investment propertyIf this is your first foray into real estate investing, I strongly suggest going the house-hacking route vs. living with your parents and managing an investment property from a distance. 

This is where soft skills play such a big part in land lording. 

The three most important things you, or anybody new, can do is to get educated, build the necessary skills and expand your network.

That is, leverage of the sponsor's knowledge, experience, deal flow, financial strength, team, market research, skill, time, network and capital. 

Best way to learn and sharpen my skills is to get out there and do it. 

Next is tricky, it's sales skill, I ask what would best work for the tenant to help them to make this happen and whats the soonest we could make it happen.

I think the difference is anyone can play a bull market but less people can play well on a bear market, it takes better skills.