Brand New to The Exciting World of Real Estate! -Advice?

[Frank Crianza]

Hi BiggerPockets community!,

I'd like to start off by saying I am very impressed at the varying levels of expertise represented on this site and that I only wished I would have learned of all of these opportunities earlier.

A little background on myself, I 32 years old, a Texas Native (Houston Area) and for most of my adult life I have been employed (comfortably) in the oil and gas industry. The 90+ hour work weeks coupled with the rotating work schedule of days/nights has led me to reevaluate my priorities. Mainly, I want to be able to provide a comfortable life for my family while still being able to spend quality time with them.

I have decided to throw everything I have into the Real Estate industry. I have a little over 2 years worth of bills in savings, I've separated from my employer, completed the necessary education to proceed with the licensing process of becoming a real estate sales agent, and will hopefully be a licensed agent by the beginning of September.

I'm posting this thread because I want to know, what are the mistakes you made when you were starting out? What do you wish you would have known when you first entered into the industry? What are the investment avenues you wish you would have gotten into before you did?

At this point, I intend to be a sponge. I want to absorb as much knowledge as I can, from like-minded individuals, to become the best investor/agent that I can be.

Thank you to everyone here on these forums, whether posters or commenters, all of your words and your advice, truly, does not fall on deaf ears.