One thing you mentioned was success in trading stocks and real estate but the problem i find is both require capital.

Like, adding stuff about maintaining the yard or whatever?  

Those investors even if they have zero experience tend to have lot's of money from their executive jobs, businesses they own or have sold, stocks,etc.  

@Sean Walton I definitely plan on leaving my stocked Keurig and crystal light packs.

So I guess at the very least REI is our safer-place-than-the stock-market(!)

then, if your daughter maintains ownership for the next two years, profit on the sale (up to $250K) should be excluded from capital gains taxation (provided Trump's tax reform does not eliminate the capital gains exclusion on the sale of a primary residence).Because your gift of the property to your daughter exceeds the annual gift tax exemption, you will have to file a Gift Tax return along with your annual 1040.  

This home is in an association, so I don't have to cover roof/siding/exterior in any way, but water softener, furnace, appliances etc. are obviously all on me to maintain.

Even if I bought one or two, these properties have low price tags and won't net an agent much commission.That being said, I have heeded the advice of many who say that the costs of maintaining the license and a seat in a brokers office are substantial, especially if you are not closing many deals and only using the license for your own investment activity.Here is what I have done:1.  

Local allows you to self manage (and potentially self maintain) which you cant easily do out of state.  

You can see this in the stock market every time as well.Irrespective of that, it's something I have said and seen for a long time: more and more people need to rent (vs being able to buy themselves), for a variety of resons.