But think about if getting a license fits with your interests and long-term objectives.Recall that investing in real estate is a journey, and it's acceptable to begin small and pick up skills along the way.

Looking forward to transferring those skills in to property management. 

I have the skill set and experience so it makes sense to meHas anyone done this/can anyone offer advice about how to get started?

We get lucky sometimes in our investments and then we forget that and attribute it to our own skillfulness.  

Negotiation is a critical skill in real estate transactions.

Show the investor your skills that make you the right guy to partner up with, and explain to him why you're the right guy for the job.

They can sharpen skills you already have, or expose you to things you've never even thought of.

What they did have though was a great deal of skill at knocking on doors and getting people to sell..

I didn't fully appreciate all the micro-skills required to buy rental properties, when I first started.

If a lot of work is needed, itemized costs will add up fast, and depending on how well-versed/skilled your GC is, your deal could be killed if something is missed.