New to Investing -- Santa Rosa, Ca: Wholesaling(?)

[David J Carciere]

Hey all!

I've been in Real Estate for about 15 years first as an appraiser and the last 10 years sourcing deals for large institutional investors and wine-companies building vineyard portfolios.  Now I'm looking to apply those skills to personally build a residential portfolio.  

I've heard alot of the cautionary tales that too many newbies jump into wholesaling because it seems easy and they end up washing out.  It seems like the right place for me to start(?) given the lower capital requirements and the fact that I've sourced $50mm in Ag deals in the past 5 years.  I've got some deal sourcing skills - albeit with a totally different set of parameters, but my thinking is the methodology and diligence required is similar.  Does this seem right? 

Ideally, once I've wholesaled a handful of deals I'd like to move to flipping or buy and hold - I've got one best friend who's a remodel contractor, and another who builds (full kitchen) cabinetry, and they have interest in getting into the game.  It seems like a pretty reasonable path, what could go wrong, right;-)?    

Would love any thoughts or feedback and would certainly love to connect with anyone in the North bay.  

Very happy to be here and very much enjoying the podcasts!

David