So back to being a real estate investor: the only way to be one is to buy a property and create value out of it, whether through finding a below market value house and selling for a profit, or renting and creating cash flow.  

I had some success in doing a house hack short term rental with my first property and wanted to continue growing my portfolio.

But I bought 3 more houses with the cash and now cash flowing $3000/month vs only $1200/month with that one paid off house.

By the time it was all over, the court fees, attorney fees ate up the entire EMD and then some --- this seller never intended to sell the house. 

@Shane Regnier I've flipped a bunch of houses in Ocala but have yet to dabble in the rental market. 

Purchase price: $341,000 Cash invested: $136,000 Sale price: $519,000 A house that I bought, renovated, and sold.

Attend local builder associations or networking events, and focus on small contractors or businesses without in-house permit expertise.Highlight how you save time and ensure compliance—it’s a big value-add.

Would like confirmation on that though.For Solara, there seems to be no restrictions but a lot of houses for sale. 

This is the heart of the reason housing isn't mroe affordable, that landlords bear these types of costs every day.You could probably find cheaper labor, especially to haul away the junk, but not easily as an out of state investor. 

That being said, if you're 23 and you don't own a home, I really do recommend starting with a house hack as you don't need the 25% down capital to get started and you kill 2 birds with one stone by getting a rental and having a roof over your head.