In Vegas I pay $300 fee to management company that they pay to the realtor (usually themselves) and then 8% that’s it.

What do banks usually require as a down payment?

Give them extra notice, extra time to find a new place, etc. 

The extra $600 to live under my own roof, without having to deal with a landlord or tenants, and any of the problems that may come along with it, would be well worth it to me. 

He likely got an extra $10k. 

You are smart for not getting suckered into courses that offer little or no insight apart from the usual marketing platitudes. 

@Ashish Acharya nails the tax free proration issue as usual.

Non-profits usually have some sort of program in place to pay for the tenants rent.

I'm also actively networking with others to increase my funds/passive income by partnering in deals, providing income, working extra, whatever I can do.The point of all this is that I am approaching it like a business.

If that is the case, those properties are usually best left to the local investors who understand and want to take on their own risks.