From there, to actually practice as a real estate agent you need to be associated to a broker so I would think the next step is to make sure you meet brokers in an area you are interested in investing in or live in and think about working for/with them. 

If they choice to sign a lease and pay you- great!

@Ryan Keenan Smart choice to stay away from condotels, especially in the Central Florida market.

Sounds like you really have two choices, the obvious ones!

This is going to make the current practices of "churning" through rent to own or lease to own or similar practices even more fraught with peril.

I've always loved real estate and focused my law practice on property law before deciding to follow my passion. 

Loeffler has updated his practices since he published his Rent-to-Own book.

Well, i woke up this morning and said, "Hey, I want to think of some creative ways to exit flips and practice investment analysis!".

That's more of a choice as I am not wanting to buy this unit with partners but our own capital.

No real rhyme or reason, just a personal choice.2) Rents for SF's tend to be higher than condos. 3) Don't have to deal with HOA's4) Much more freedom with an SF.