(Flippers will disagree with this statement... and they have a skillset that you probably lack, so they aren't wrong for them, but are wrong for you as a FTHB with no real estate experience.)If you're only going to be living there for a year, and want to get your feet wet with REI, go see what weekend part time job openings a local property management company has that'll have you interacting with tenants.

I like to be active and interactive with people!

I guess what we'd like is a program that is user-friendly/ intuitive, can keep easy track of payments, maintenance work orders, and if it can possibly communicate with Quickbooks or tax software or can at least compile things in a format which is easy to integrate into tax accounting that would be great.

Intuitively it feels like I would be, which would then move me towards doing flag condo units instead, to shift all development burden onto unit owners.PS: Easements only are not being considered, since landlocked units take a steep value hit.

Interacting face to face will help tremendously with forming those critical relationships to aid your progress.

I look forward to interacting with and learning from the other members of BP - thanks, in advance, for all of your help!

Again, the BiggerPockets store has some books for this or you can learn by watching podcasts, reading blogs, and interacting on the forum.

I've had a few interactions with a property management firm based in downtown Durham called Acorn + Oak and was impressed by them.

Even differences in tenant-landlord eviction and interactions have some differences in the two cities we own in the state of Louisiana.

If they are someone you want to deepen a contact with, try to interact a bit during the conference and then the pro tip is follow up with them after them immediately after the conference and make a connection to build a lasting and mutual beneficial relationship with.