The two are totally different strategies and use totally different skills. 

They are two entirely different skill sets.

After conquering that hurdle I find myself before the Biggerpockets community, looking for guidance from skilled professionals willing to bestow wisdom earned from experience.

I am still amazed at the amount of information that is out there and how helpful other investors have been.Know your skills that you can bring to the table, know your target market, how much capital you are working with and how much time you can spend on REI.

Finding the money for a good deal shouldn’t be hard...if the deal is right, and you have the right skills and network.

But I self-manage and have repair skills, parts and tools.   

This is what I have tried to do and find that you will develop skills as both a lawyer and investor that make you a superior deal analyzer and negotiator to almost anyone else in that area.

My wife has strong managerial and book-keeping skills and could likely handle GCs quite well.

You can minimize the down payment by living in the investment property, utilizing your skills to build value, then rolling your equity into your next investment.Monthly debt vs. monthly obligation is your DTI.

I just have no way to measure skill or relationship compatibility without working with someone.