Most agents don't understand or have any interest in wholesaling, and honestly some agents don't seem to know much about the basics of their industry at all.While you do need to understand real estate and the real estate market, I think what's truly necessary is having the right tools and systems to help you as you begin.

You can also get into more active strategies like STR and rehabs, but the work required to get in this is significant and at that point you might be able to just get a new role with the same pay with the equivalent effort.Is your entire industry in a hiring freeze or just your company laying off?

Just bought a property in cabarrus county and turned out the crawl space doesn’t just need a vapor barrier it needs to be incapsulated, with trenches a sump pump and an industrial dehumidifier.

Maybe city is getting ready to go crazy on solar and needs a spot for a battery storage area. 

Many people seem to forget that even though they are providing a rental property they are still in the service industry and if they do not service the client then they can take their business elsewhere.

As a good son, I would spot check the property managers' projections by doing my own research on VRBO/Airbnb/AirDNA to see what I think similar rentals are doing. 

(I get it, I look younger than the Grandpa I am, thank you but yes, nearing 40yrs in the industry).   

I work 10-11 hour days in the auto industry so by the time I get home it is around 9 PM which is no excuse but I then wake up at 6 AM to stay swole as you have said is important.

I’m especially interested in spots with strong short-term rental (STR) demand, where the laws are favorable to investors.I have around $250,000 USD to put down as a deposit, and I plan to finance the rest through a mortgage.

If you haven't already, look into insurance relocations. 3/2s and above are the sweet spot if the property itself is really nice and in a good neighborhood.