So is this debate about what the average American homeowner nearing retirement should do or what a savvy investor should do?

Americans are typically not used to this arrangement and in many states dual agency is actually illegal (for good reason because there is an inherent conflict of interest).

My question is to those who have started out in a similar fashion and the best way to find a good mentor.

I started off with USAA, then hit their rental property limit and moved to American Modern, then they stopped doing commercial policies for rental, so I am with State Farm now. 

They connect to utility in similar manners and can be tied down to a foundation in a similar fashion.

You might also buy "American Nomads" and "Erin's Guide to Midterm Rentals."

If you know how to build better mousetraps, build mousetraps, if you know how to trade bonds, trade bonds, or stocks, or oil, or rare earth minerals, but I think for the average American, the best way to get wealthy is to invest in real estate.   

I personally like american title

But some of us, actually earn our money the old fashion way by providing real value, vision, hard work with our clients best interest in mind.

American power companies would never allow that as people can get confused about credits but once you get back direct cash everyone would finance solar and they would be out of business.