If anyone in the Southern Maine area is currently wholesaling I would love to hear more about your experiences and anyone else with knowledge in the industry.

Lease agreement:  I would recommend you draft this with a lawyer familiar with the industry, ADA, Commercial leases, etc.2, Insurance:  Review the new potential use with your agent. 

It is the industry standard at least in NYC.I am only looking at it at as Accountant perspective.

I am currently up here working in the oil industry and want to make the most of my time while I'm out here.

My ultimate goal is to become a real estate investor, except I don't have any prior experience in this industry and am still a bit lost as to where to start.

Talking to local investors and others in the industry can help you get rough pricing for rehabs, loan structures, and if your cash flow calcs are accurate.

Real estate is a cyclical industry, though it may not seem that way to the 20 and 30 somethings who have only seen things going up.

Most people I talk to says it is worth it (including me), but others are selling because it is not worth it to them.For our indoor pools it never fails to get a call every few weeks saying the indoor pool is too cold (84 to 86 degrees) and we have to explain this is the industry standard and prevents mold and mildew inside. 

I'm not sure what the long term economic viability is there with all the political turmoil surrounding the fossil fuel industry. 

If a city grows quickly because of a new industry, that growth is likely to stick for a while.