Starting out; Disgruntled

[Brendan M Brown]

Hey all. 
I recently heard of someone who has acquired a lot of property recently. Some main st village type property, mixed use with store fronts etc. I heard through the grape fine that he had recently started “scooping up” properties here and there and shes going to be starting in this next area soon. 
As a young man and young investor, I’m having trouble with a few things.

1)finding a property with a decent return. 
2) finding a primary residence that doesn’t cost and arm and leg (rent or own). 

I feel a lot of young investors are possibly in my position. For starters, they are having trouble even keeping there cost of living low while starting new families. Secondly, trying to achieve wealth through over priced real estate markets seems impossible.

If I can do one thing, one daily lever to pull, how can I be the guy I described in the beginning?

I love real estate so much but I can’t even get in, and my dream is to be the guy improving property for the good of the world. Any thoughts?

Thanks to anyone that responds.