To be honest, I´m in the Maintenance & Construction for corporate businesses for some US companies in Mexico and we do some Real Estate down here also, but it´s way much different than the US, so I have much to learn from a lot of people around here and as @Julio Gonzalez, I think this is pretty much the right pad and place to start and to break my fears to start all over again from scratchAlso, I´ld like to hear more from @Justin Brickman why he voted for his city, pros and cons, it will help to read from a local...As I said before, thank you all guys for taking the time to write in this post and share some experienceDo you plan to owner occupy. $40k will not get you a non owner occupied San Diego property unless you find some unlikely alternate financing.

There are plenty of entry roles from cold calling, scrubbing data and find deals for investors, leasing assistant, work on construction sites, office admin, project coordinator, Title assistant, RE photographer, transaction coordinator.. on and on. 

In construction, there is only so much you can do to reduce your margins while staying profitable.

Quote from @Dennis Bragg: Alan, I’ve got to say, taking on a major construction project like this in Ardmore is a bold move, and I admire the ambition.

Birmingham’s market is diverse, with various areas offering different levels of potential and risk, so getting boots on the ground can be one of the best investments you make in terms of time and money.I’d be happy to connect and share more about what I’ve learned from my experience managing properties in this market. 

Check with the municipality where construction is being done to get their take on the development.

I am considering working with a property developer in NJ to buy land, build a duplex/triplex and sell it (6-9 month time horizon).  Is there any creative way to avoid/reduce capital gains tax on the sale ? From what I...

Don't buy beyond your means when it comes to construction.

We helped him with a Couple ground up New construction Rentals and He Can use The two property's as new construction experience but not us, this is what had me perplexed.  

Mostly people with minimal RE experience are adding a single ADU and they often make that choice based on cash flow without taking into account the negative equity position.