If you could get in touch with yourself when you were first getting started investing in real estate, what would you say, and what advices would you give yourself?

[Gustavo Mendes]

This might get interesting.

[Rick H.]

Focus on the fundamental. I wish I'd studied more about title early on. I avoided it for years but it came to become a strength, not a weakness (still surprises me today almost 40 years later).

Marketing and lead generation is where it's at. You need Dealflow to survive and prosper. Figure out what makes a deal and market to generate a strong deal flow. Don't waste any time with people who do not meet your deal criteria. You do have a deal criteria, don't you?

I made major progress when I stopped working on marginal deals. While I somewhat agree with @Bram Spiero, I'm not inclined to spend time on an opportunity for which there is not a clear benefit. I don't have to look for problems as my marketing does that, but by its nature it attracts problem people. Argghh. 

One way or the other, you're going to get an education. 

You won't make no dough if you ain't got no flow.

Plan your work and work your plan, but don't plan the results!