This is long but I think you might  be able to see the point I want to say here...The way I see it, people that really want to invest in Real Estate as a career start like everyone else does in any other career, that is from the bottom up.

I know what their purchase criteria are, and I know what will be suitable for new construction.

Sounds like you've developed a great career and quite a current one.

I already have another career I will be starting, so the plan is for real estate to be a side gig.

I have wanted to get into this for almost my entire career of 27 years so I see what you are wanting to get into and am going to do the same.  

If someone wants to get to what I call the Economic Independence point, where the cash flow is large enough to cover or exceed all monthly expenses, focusing on cash flow is good as long as the quality of the properties and the other criteria accompanying cash flow are still met.If on the other hand one is young enough and has a longer infesting career ahead so that the economic independence point is not the main driver, the equity you are pointing out can be used after a while by applying HELOC to keep growing the portfolio without losing the high-quality asset.In some ways, there are investments in real estate approaches that are more complex.

Get advice from your broker on the best way to jump start your career.

We have experience with rehabbing/remodeling our personal homes, and are looking to push that aspect of our real estate careers into overdrive, in an effort to build income streams for the future.

My goal is to start my career in real estate as well as a career in real estate investing as soon as I finish school.

I am searching for an investor who can help me start a successful career in real estate.