After buying more than 1,000 apartment units, I can see 3 benefits of getting a mentor:The information is organized into what I call "actionable wisdom" so you save time by getting only the golden nuggets or information that will lead you to the "fastest path to cash"; You get deal-specific coaching - or what to do when you encounter a property: how to buy it, finance it, and make money from it; andYou become accountable to someone to perform and you have someone to bounce ideas toTo me, real estate investing is like having a craft.

Respect it by learning the craft first, listen intensively, read books, and yes educate yourself with someone who has succeeded in doing what it is you are looking to do.Appreciate this forum trail. 

I am not too different from your age, financial capability, Keys retirement goal, etcAm 38, with fortune of a spouse that makes 7 times what I make, who wants me to retire us to the Keys by the time kids are off to college - 14 years away which means I have to be crafting a strategy and executing it now.

I think your on the correct path although I have heard FLA frowns on unlicensed people selling real estate IE wholesaling, And the companies that I fund in Orlando buy their wholesale deals through a licensed brokerage. so maybe get a RE license would be appropriate. you will get trained for the simple cost of a license .. then go to work with a broker who specilizes in what you want to do .. you will get paid to learn..And get a proper education from those that are invested in their craft and looking for a long term career. 

Once your friend serves (or not) the tenant (need to show 3 attempts on affidavit) you need to craft a simple affidavit of (non)service that needs to be signed and notarized by your friend.

But I went full force into learning what I had to to be a success at my chosen craft.

Alyssa Craft and I went to an accountant this morning, who suggested that we do all our business structures as LLCs.

Users ranged from a dentist, chiropractor, craft shop, insurance agency, mortgage broker, etc.

People are slinging burgers at McDonalds for more than $4.50 per hour,,,Here in S Calif ,any legitimate contractor in any of the trades is breaking even at 175.00 to 200.00 per hour without a net profit of 8-10%That would bring us up to about $225 to 260.00 per hour in billing numbers,,,,Wanting to give you a bit of advice if you might accept it Mike,,,,I would go to several local established plumbing supply houses that sell to only licensed contractors and ask for a couple referals for some licensed plumbers maybe father and son teams who have good attitudes,have nice clean trucks ,are cordial and pay their supply house bills on time,,,you cant go wrong with these guys,these guys are serious and the run a legitimate above board business,,,These are the folks you want to invite to bid on your rehab projects.Hire them and guess what ,,if they like you and u have a "meeting of the minds" they are going to introduce and reccomend other tradesmen in different crafts of the same level of competence and reputation,,,,DD

This reduces your initial out of pocket expense and creates a long-term relationship that will be a big part of your future investments and success. those kind of partnerships need to be crafted very carefully.. the biggest Bru ha ha s I have gotten into over the decades were with minor partners.. were we are singed on the debt and the minor partner thinks they are the reason for success..