Working to Learn (Best strategy to learn while earning)

[Thomas Burnett]

Hello BP Community!

I am a brand new investor with no experience and haven't done any deals yet. I have been doing tons and tons of research along with reaching out to network over the last 6 months or so and have come to the conclusion that becoming successful will take either a substantial amount of time, or money, or both. Currently I have neither as I am working two jobs to pay the bills. Neither pay well and I'm to the point where I've got more ambition than I do time or money and I don't want to keep hitting my head against the wall or continue on a path of mediocrity.

Most of my research has been in wholesaling and the more I dig into it, the more I realize how much I don't know. I live in Portland Oregon and the market is first very expensive, and also highly saturated with investors making it difficult and overwhelming to actually get started.  I would love to work with someone who could become a mentor, and I know how to be of service (I am no stranger to hard work) however time has been a major limiting factor in my development.

I've had what seems like a great idea that I got from reading one of Kiyosaki's works about working to learn. Finding a job that fits my financial needs as well as giving me an opportunity to grow my skillset and grow my network. Both areas being so crucial for traction using real estate as a vehicle for generating wealth.

My query to those of you in the industry is to pick your brains on how you got started, or stories of someone you may know about getting into the industry. Things that you wish you'd known when you were first getting started so that I may make an educated decision. Which area or paid position do you feel could give me the most leverage of time vs experience and knowledge? What you love about the job and what it provides for you, heck even references in my area!

A list of areas which I'd like to develop:

General principles and strategies, financing, deal analysis, rehab and construction estimating, finding and negotiating deals, property management, legal and contracts, and marketing.

Thanks in advance! Looking forward to suggestions with an open mind.