I just want a modest home where I can build equity, get help paying the mortgage while not living there, and ultimately, when I quit traveling, I'll have a home.

Ultimately you must have 2 years of employment history, whether it's W2 or self-employed.  

I plan on doing more, but ultimately would like to transition to buy and holds for rental income.  

Ultimately leave the world a better place. 

But anyways, that thought led me to learn more and ultimately, I found this whole new magnificent world of other people who have accomplished my idea.

Joe Splitrock and Chris Martin shared interesting creative finance methods that may or may not work for you or in today's market.From my own experience it is possible to acquire property with no money as a down payment or out of your own pocket, but that is rare and the exceptional circumstances deal.Creative financing methods have been proven to work but it is a case by case basis and ultimately if you are serious you have to be able to offer a reasonable sum of money to the seller to take the risk of holding a note which he still has to pay even if you default, with little to no real equity from you.

I have just a little bit of advice for using this site and a little advice on getting more into real estateAdvice for this site...1) Set up keywords for your area and interests so that you're notified when they're used and then start interacting.2) Read through The Ultimate Beginner's Guide3) Go through applicable blogs and podcasts as there are a lot of great resourcesAdvice for REI...1) Study up on what you need to know/do for the 1st step and then do it, then repeat for all following steps until you have completed your first investment then repeat the process and keep learning.

If you haven't found it yet, I would recommend you check out the Ultimate Beginner's Guide.

That is, the PM will advertise, run the various checks for credit, evictions, criminal, ability to pay, etc but ultimately they'll recommend a few applicants, I'll look at the documentation and pick one? 

BP is the ultimate real estate investing site around!