I am 45 years old so already considered a senior runner for age...lol  You do see a huge difference in your body from your 20's and 30's to your 40's.20's to 30's I noticed a slight difference occasionally but negligible.

Although I haven't used my license for any customer transactions in quite a few years, I decided to keep my license active, (while also working a full-time job for quick cash and medical benefits) for numerous reasons:a) MLS Accessb) Access to NJAR, which provides me with all current documents: Lease applications, Residential Leases, Lead paint docs, etc.c) If anyone wants to rent from me, they pay me a commissiond) If I buy or sell, I get a commissione) If an occasional Listing should fall in my lap, I get a commissionf) the free educational courses, Lunch and Learn seminars, etc. are invaluable, andg) I worked way too hard to get that license!

They have both been invaluable to me in different ways, which I think about in context of the E-Myth's paradigm of working "In" your business vs. working "On" your business.The REI mentor started out as an informal/unpaid relationship where I would occasionally ask him a few questions (I tried to be respectful of his time and not overwhelm him).  

Sure you'll have the occasional rotten egg, but most of the time you won't. 

So far I'm reading books, attending seminars, REI clubs, going to the occasional open house and learning from Biggerpockets material like webinars, podcasts, forums, and blog posts.1)  What else could I be doing aside from learning, networking and saving money?

Step back take a deep breath & appreciate that once on BP you are immersed in a new tough love "family", complete with the occasional crazy uncle (posters).Good luck & never look back!!!

@Scott TrenchWhen the line between education and sales is a blurred as it is there is always going to be more “noise” toward the investing strategy that benefits sales; in this instance more leverage.I have been strategically paying off (not down because, with a conventional mortgage, that increases risk as you reduce liquidity and have the same debt service obligations) “higher” interest loans.

@Mike Fletcher There's the occasional fixer but those sell with multiple offers.

Other than five minutes a month of accounting and an occasional phone call with my property manager or a contractor, I never think about my rentals.You say that you can't go sit on a beach while the money comes in, but that's pretty much what we do.  

The 59 year old land rover.An EV is actually a great machine for rentals -  Fuel cost is cheap - maintenance  (assuming you buy an OEM one I don't expect everybody is going to DIY build one like I did) is basically nonexistent,  but you can still get the whole mileage deduction if you do that,   and near silent operation means its easier to sneak up on the occasional misbehaving tenant.