What determines the direction one should focus in when starting out in REI …i.e… is it personality traits, capital, knowledge, contacts, negotiation skills, etc that should determine how one should proceed into real estate investing…for example, should a handyman get into rehabbing , good negotiator do wholesaling and vice versa?

We need to get someone in there who will CUT SPENDING, I don't care if it is Captain Kangaroo (I know, he passed away, but it makes my point).My mother, who just passed away, is from Missouri.

True, if you find one that doesn't have their head up their @$$ and doesn't read negative press like this:http://activerain.com/blogsview/1691636/is-short-sale-flipping-criminal-activity-"In addition to banks losing money, this practice damages the unsuspecting homeowner who is selling the home in the short sale because they then face the possibility of a higher deficiency judgment if the lender seeks to recover the unpaid balance, or if there is forgiveness of debt, a higher income tax bill (unless the homeowner is exempt under various tax forgiveness plans of the IRS).Borrowers are "on the hook for larger deficiencies," Ann Fulmer, vice president of Interthinx said in an interview with Bloomberg Television.

It may seem like a bit of a grey area but it's far better to err on the side of caution than vice versa.

And, vice versa.

Or vice versa?

And yes, I agree the old cell phone in the mirror is a cry for help) and then post my landscape, hot rod, pet or whatever in the photo gallery.Or, check this out - vice versa.

So when I work with someone I look at probability of a project funding and closing.If they meet x,y,z criteria then chances are high of success.If they fall into other categories the chances of success are very low.There are exceptions but you run a profitable business by sticking to what works the most.Everything you do needs to bring a quantifiable return on time equaling money.I personally like to run my business working with serious individuals and creating a lasting lifelong relationship.You learn their expectations and vice versa and create a team with great results.I do not work residential.

Either way you must trade time for money or vice versa.

Do you start marketing for buyers first then try to find sellers or vice versa?