This deal was the catalyst that got me into the mortgage banking industry.

I am new to the industry and have jumped into the deep end but I am ready to learn, network, and be of a valuable resource.What are some key pointers (that can be shared) that I should focus on when doing cold calls/ emails/ drop ins and letting each broker/lender/agents/business know that I am not here to sell you ANYTHING?

Being in the construction industry should help you on your REI journey.

Also find some funding and some friends that can help catapult me to where I am trying to go.Hey Jerome,I used to be in the trucking industry myself.

My real estate goals include investing in long-term rentals with the potential for mid-term rentals, leveraging my spouse’s career as an OT in the healthcare industry.

By focusing on effective time management, clear communication, building your network, and implementing a solid marketing strategy, you’ll be better prepared to navigate the ups and downs of the real estate industry.

Honestly, it seems like you’ve got more skin in the game than I do since I’m just getting started as a bird dog, but I really admire your approach.I think your focus on tax-efficient strategies and building a reliable team is spot on.

You might find it useful to attend a meetup or two just to learn how other folks got their start into the industry :) I host a small/intimate meetup once a month in LIC, check it out here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521/topics/1214850-meet...

I know that you do a great job smoothing out any "rough spots" in the lending process, so that certainly helps when the deal starts to go sideways... 

It doesn't take long to learn how to spot a good deal.6.