Properties in her desired areas are too high for her to purchase on her own. 

At this rate, you would need to put down 35-40% to break even in terms of monthly cashflow, with a slight cushion for some minor repairs and occasional vacancy.Another challenge is the acquisition cost: typically $200k per door, which could go up to $300-350k/door in desirable upper-middle-class areas.

I have no desires to learn how to be a landlord.

It's better to deal with a reputable larger firm vs. mom and pop shop to ensure they are doing everything on the up and up and someone isn't going to lay claim to your property in 3 months from now (like a divorced spouse...I've seen it happen)People's opinions are going to vary on the hard money. 

I found the corporate approach that these commercial firms operate within to be largely unappealing.

List price is just the seller's desire.

Let your interest and desire guide you.

I’m much more interested in good mentoring and training than the usual perks and benefits all the firms list to bring in new brokers.

He put in jumpers instead of fixing the problem, so I then had to pay someone else, that I COULD CONTROL, to come and fix the system legally...so it could pass inspection and not start a fire.Now I am very firm that I am the one paying for the work and if I do not agree to the work I do not pay and no one speaks for me. 

Property managers know which areas are most desirable, and how much houses will rent for.