Georgia apprasier wanting to start out in REI

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Hello everyone,

I'm new around here, though I've been reading around the boards for about a week or so. Everyone around here seems really knowledgeable, and there has been a wealth of information thus far.

Here's some background on me: I'm 20 years old, and a full time college student. My father has been a certified real estate appraiser for about 8 years, and has his own LLC with which he does very well for himself. Last Christmas, I decided to sign up for an appraisal class and get my registration. Fast forward to nine months later, and I'm currently doing about three appraisals per week (potentially, I could do about eight per week, but business has been slow lately). I have access to MLS, FMLS, as well as Redlink (a piece of software that lists deed transfers and URAR information).

I just have a few questions that I would like to get some input on, because I'd like to get started with real estate investing within the next year or two. I'd like to save up the money to pay for my first deal cash, so I won't have to rely on getting a loan for it. My father is doing very well for himself in the appraisal industry, and I'll be able to do just as well once I get my college degree (I'm about 3 years from completing this). However, I'd love to get into REI as a nice source of supplemental income. If I enjoy it, I'd like to eventually own my own appraisal-based LLC and have employees working for me while focusing much of my time on REI.

Here are the questions that I have that I can think of right now:

1. I'm assuming that having direct access to the MLS system in Georgia will help me. However, just how valuable of an asset will this be to me? I like the idea of being able to find many deals for myself, instead of relying on a birddog to find them for me.

2. I know that I'm very young, and still inexperienced in REI. I'm still considered an apprentice appraiser, though I'm on my own and appraising properties without my dad even coming to the property at all. How easy is it to dabble in REI as supplemental income, rather than a full time job?

3. How much money should I anticipate having to spend on my first deal? I know that each market is different, as is every deal. However, I'd like to get some details on the veterans' initial deals. How much were your initial investments, and what kinds of profits did you turn?

I'm actually sitting in class right now, so I can't think of all the questions that I had wanted to list. As they come to me, I'll try to post them. My desire in this thread was basically to introduce myself, and to get input based on what you guys think about my situation.

Thanks a lot ahead of time guys!