For us, the commitment was made to marriage (engagement) and that was the point where both of us really were able to be 'all in' and work hand in hand on my wife's house at the time. 

My husband and I each had long term accounts prior to marriage that we both wanted to keep for the business relationship with the bank, but we added each other to them. 

That is like accepting marriage without sex.

A partnership, like marriage will mean that there is compromise and this can only occur if you are talking regularly to one another.Tasks, “who does what”?

@Ned CareyDeveloping a mentor-ship is exactly like trying to find a marriage partner, so true!

I don't see how that is possible outside a relationship with Christ, personally, because some on this board, or in real estate, will endlessly acquire more and more properties, at the expense of their marriages, families, and their own health. 

I have delayed marriage and having a family because there is no way I could work hours like this with kids.

Not to be too gloomy, but people have destroyed their marriages and/or killed themselves after getting buried under crushing debt that they had every intention of using to become wealthy. 

As you get older, marriage and children can radically alter your definition of financial freedom as well :).

I'm not spending my weekends driving my 100 clients all over town and playing marriage counselor (except once in a while), but you're busy doing exactly that with your 30 as a Realtor (and for nearly all 30 too).