Now, your mind is ready to learn this new skill.

As for your Index funds, if you were trading indices such as SPX, you would have the favorable tax treatment accorded to §1256 Contacts:  60% of gains are Long Term Capital Gains, and 40% are Short Term capital gains.

This cap rate is not completely out of the realm of what things are trading at.  

Here's why:Deep Discount Buying OpportunitiesAfter a period of aggressive rate hikes, many real estate assets are trading 20-30% below peak prices seen in 2021-2022.

It’s when homeowners who locked in ultra-low mortgage rates during the pandemic hesitate to sell because moving would mean trading up to much higher rates.

One golden rule I follow,if it takes a long time to fix/replace when it breaks, don't buy a cheap one.Imagine, this thing breaks in the middle of your peak season and the people who can come out to rebuild are 2 weeks out....It takes at least a day or two to build something like this even if you are super skilled.

I learned some deep skills that will be useful in other realms.This isn't so much "bird dogging," with them giving you some scraps for bringing them business. 

Investing does need to be approached more like a business than just a simple stock trade.

Start small with strategies like house hacking, leveraging your hands-on skills for value-add properties, and building a strong team or network to reduce risks.

Target neighborhoods like Brewerytown, Kensington, and Point Breeze, where demand and ARV potential are currently strong.Your skills in renovations will give you a significant edge in controlling costs and boosting returns.