When doing a top-down market analysis, you want to look at fundamental supply and demand characteristics: healthy and growing population base, demographic trends, diversified employment sectors (so if one industry goes down–like the auto industry in Detroit–the whole town doesn't go down with it), talented and educated workforce.

Goldman Sachs just announced something like a HDQ3 here with all divisions represented...CEO says it is a myth to think all financial talent is in NYC.  600 companies in CA looking to move to Texas in the next couple of years. 

To succeed in many jobs, you need a variety of knowledge, skill, and talents. 

Stop giving away your time and talents.

Real wealth is created by leveraging the talents of others.

Have a few opportunities with a few condos in Marina Del Rey, and am would like to connect with some reliable local talent to collaborate for some projects.Having the ability to do some custom vanity work is a plus.Any have any data showing the best condo upgrades for the highest return?

You are quite talented, in my opinion, you should look into getting in the profession that provides you the greatest return then use that money for your investments/connections in the market you're in.Becoming a realtor has unlimited income potential ontop of the connections you make, but sales can be somewhat daunting.

If you do want to scale up by attracting talent, what is your differentiating factor and what type of agents will you be looking to recruit (seasoned or rookies).If you are considering opening your own brokerage, I would first find a very good broker owner in your area and go work for them to see what they have to go through and how they have modeled their business.

Fifth, is assumes lack of competition making deals that fit your criteria difficult to come by in your area, and that if this happens you have both the time and talent to move into a totally different market and succeed there as well or better than what you're doing in your current market.I will say this: if I had $10 for every pie-in-the-sky guru book I've read or podcast I've listened to, I'd have about $100. 

I have an extraordinary set of skills that would benefit most real estate investors and I have no doubt that I can bring tons of value to the table with my time, talent, and experiences.