From my experience, if I had started in real estate right after school, I would have very little network and little to no funds for the RE exam, CE classes, and networking registrations.

Quote from @Zack Marshall: Quote from @Tyler Tyson: I had a very poor experience with them last year.

You'll likely need a higher down payment if you can find anyone willing to finance something like this as a first time investor; many require some level of rehab experience at the very least.

Besides immediate friends and family who know me, how do I market or introduce myself as a new agent with no experience.  

Thank you for posting that very detailed experience.

Also, if you have construction experience, leverage that when talking to investors.

Does anybody else have experience as of lately...? 

I've had a positive experience.

But it also is a money pit if you don’t have the experience.  

They both have extensive experience in Duluth.Thanks for the mention @Tim Swierczek.