I worry of injuries as I have a re-occurring injury from the academy, so I want to start something to let me get out of this career early and defer the pension.

Acquire enough RE that it takes you or your spouse more than 750 hours a year and 1/2 of your time to manage.When you are a material participating RE pro all of your and your spouses’ RE activity becomes active, allowing you to offset RE losses against other active income.One pitfall of a RE Pro spouse if you are full-time W-2.

Check out the events section on BP, search eventbrite and meetup for re networking events.Good luck!

I am new to RE investing and looking to connect with local investor.

Ha ha!!

Get a job working at a bar a few nights a week, buy a pressure washer and go door knocking to pressure wash driveways and decks (for example, does not have to be that), and be an agent that hustles, works open houses, goes to RE meetups, networks like crazy, and learns a lot. 

A great way to start is by attending RE events and joining a local investors association.

(I know BP is focused on making money through REI where this scenario is really about using RE laws to minimize losing money.)

@Drew Sygit that's a good point re: the PMC. and fairness, was curious what others thought, especially those that are significantly more knowledgeable. 

@Michael Plaks Could I start a project as an investment property, take the depreciation in 2024 taxes, then recapture in 2025 taxes but plan to invest in RE that year to offset the recapture?