It's not easy, but it's a difference maker and takes some effort and thought to look in the right area.One of my favorite videos that highlights this difference in people (i.e., the difference between those who are 'interested' in changing their outcomes in life vs. those who are 'committed') is from Angela Duckworth who has done a lot of study on what makes people tick.

Work, sports on the weekends with my little guy, and family time in general ...

My favorite phrase applies here - everything in real estate is negotiable.

So, I'm a new poster here, but have worked in the mortgage industry for the past 18 years, as well as pursued my own RE investments (good and bad)... to previous points in the thread, I've always been fond of the thought that, after 2008, "Closing loans is a team sport"...it takes many hands to make a deal work in and around the actual loan. 

These are simply my four favorite cities and I want to try and live in all of them.  

Let me answer with a parable.My favorite class in business school was Entrepreneurship and Venture Initiation.

New Wal-Mart grocery, new strip mallz around the corner, across the street from running track and sports complex.

Reach out to everyone in the area and see if they can put you in touch with some active investors who might share their favorite contractor with you.

What are your favorite loan products and LLC strategies to optimize scaling in times of economic uncertainty?

One of my favorite stories is a local investor who purchased a parcel of land that is that entryway to a gas station.