Taking action is massively important, but being strategic is equally important. 

Which would be the best choice for my pocketbook?

The more time you spend strategizing the less time you spend doing. 

Critical for a newbie buyer for the education alone, plus it’s an obvious choice to protect your investment if rehab assessments are not your specialty.Property mgrs have their standard monthly fees (usually 7–12%), but they also have a placement fee for new tenants (usually 50–75% of 1st months rent).

I picked Cleveland over returning to NYC or going out to the pacific northwest, and I'm very happy with my choice.

A think you're right, Manolo, that "motivated" is a strong word choice here. 

Think strategically and it may work out on your favor.

She likely feels that she is tied to that specific cushy federal gov't job and has no value to the private sector, which incidentally might have been a self-fulfilling prophecy, but needn't have been had she made different choices earlier in life.

So I have just started my studies to become a licensed agent, and I'm trying to be proactive and find the right broker to work with.I was just turned down by my number one choice of brokerage because "The brokers have too much on their plates" at the moment.I like to believe I present myself well and am well spoken and professional, so I was honestly surprised to not even get an interview.I live in a small town with only a handful of brokerages so I can't exactly get turned down by very many before I'm out of options.

Many people view the choice of going to college or starting work as in either/or choice.