I am interested in hearing from people with experience on both sides, and what potential worst case scenarios there are not just success stories.

We have been utilizing the BRRRR strategy for a few years with good success.

. - done it many times successfully and listing agents like the additional fee split with the sellers, and I leave that up to them on how to split it. 

IMO, the class is much more about passing the test than it is about practical real estate success.

I am still focused on being my own boss and putting in the incredibly hard work of being a successful real estate investor in the buy and hold philosophy.If there is any advice, or wise words that you'd like to impart on me as a beginner here in Knoxville, TN or just in general, I would very much appreciate it!

Really refugees can come from any walk of life in their home country but they may wind up at entry level jobs here even if they were successful at home because of  lack of language skills and education that may not help them here.

I've had good success with this method. 

If it is hard, that means your stretching and growing to be the ever more successful version of you.I would say attend the local events and make a goal of walking up to a certain number of people and introducing yourself.

Understanding that everyone is out for their best interests -- not to get over on you -- is the best path to successful negotiations.

I have read many threads on here about people wanting to start property management companies and I always enjoy reading posts about investors who started their own PM companies from the ground up and had tremendous success or who had a hard time.