I was around during the 80's when robots were going to take everyone's job in 5 years.  

I'll be reaching out to you since we share a few things in common (I'm also a ME, currently working as a robotics programmer and paint engineer).Best of luck!

Others rocket up pretty well as you move up the ranks.The other question is will your jobs be at risk in the future to robots for automating or artificial intelligence??

But we are human and not robots without emotion so I don't think truely that emotion isn't removed out of that equation. 

@Matt Katsaris  its so regionalized I am building new construction in Charleston SC ( business and land development friendly city that has it going on)... and in PDX.lets comparebought a 7 lot deal in Charleston 9 weeks start to finish with land use and platting.. legal lots in 9 weeks.. building permits all in 6k per.did 23 lot development in PDX metro.. 18 months to land use approvals another 9 months to build it.. ( now we had monster winter so cut off 3 months for that.)... cost to build the houses virtually the same..cost of capital you have to add to end price along with permit fee's..

I think newbies get scared of these monsters and of all the reasons why it won't work.

See, I have stayed at home with my four wonderful monsters for the last six years; apparently eating bonbons, getting my nails done and watching soap operas .

Negotiations, deal-finding, financing, tenant placement, maintenance, you name it - until we have robots that can do plumbing, electrical, property maintenance and listen to your tenants ***** about the noisy neighbors, a people-person will beat a systems person all day long when you are starting out.  

It's a good gig...very little capital outlay, hands off, and a cash flow monster.  

I was hoping I would be able to find my  building somewhere around the Chicago land area since I am based around that area, but the more I look at deals the more the numbers don't add up. at times the building prices are just outrageous and then it doesn't work or the taxes in the area kill the deal. so I have been considering perhaps getting my four plex in the Indiana where thing might be a little more manageable. areas such as merriville, dyer, monster..etc. was hoping if anyone had any ideas for this young investor.