Why not strike a deal with a dealer to put a home or 2 on some sites , brand new ready to move in tomorrow .

Perhaps call up some of your smaller local banks and strike up a conversation. 

Currently i am gaining knowledge so that i can be in a great position whenever the opportunity strikes. 

That being said, I travel the country and what always strikes me most in CA is the percentage of expensive cars compared to other states. 

Just striking conversation!

Start turning these dreams into goals with amounts, time frames, steps to achieve/milestones.A lot of REIs go into this biz thinking that they will strike it rich, only to find themselves in a job they bought for themselves that gives little to no time to do all the things they thought the "freedom" of being rich would bring. 

Proper smoke and codetectors needed.Apartment Units 27 Unit 2 bedrooms and living room needs, fire door is needed at the hallentry, front left bedroom has a hole in the glass, the other windowwont stay open and slams shut, the door is missing a strike plate andhole for the latch, water damage to the ceiling, missing light globe,right bedroom and living room has damaged and out of plumb doors,missing globe on light, light hanging by its wires, windows aredifficult to open, missing ceiling tiles, several receptacles in the unitare non grounded and should be replaced with a two prong receptacleor have the wiring updated.

The connections made along the way can avoid a lot of speed bumps when opportunity strikes.

@Scott Passman - You're striking the right chords (minus tax incentives for development); Unfortunately, I believe those days are over.

Focus and persistence strikes again!!!