The key is buying properties significantly below market value, keeping costs low through self-management and maintenance skills, and taking a long-term view to build wealth through forced appreciation and equity capture over time.

and real estate requires some 'old school' skills like: using a phone to make a call. and going to a place. 

That will depend on your time, capital, energy, and skills.

He is a minimum wage worker with no handy skills, so it would be hard to partner with someone that doesn't have the resources to move us forward.  

Quote from @Nicholas Petrozzi: Nobody can answer that without knowing your finances, your skills, your drive for success, and 82 other factors that can't be discerned from your post.I can tell you that you shouldn't set your bar too high or make things too complicated.

Working under one of them in some capacity would be good experience for you to learn the right skills and systems.

I'm happy to learn a new skill set and would love to join some local groups.Thank you all in advance for any input!

Anyone who works remote or online or does low skill manual labor.

Now, I'm ready to take the plunge myself and explore the world of investment properties.About Me:With five years in the real estate industry, I've honed my skills in understanding market trends, property valuations, and negotiation strategies.

It is just as important to develop good due diligence practices with your skill sets in mind.