Being a broker is easier (for most) and should be a natural starting step for most beginners looking to do RE.

Worked with a developer on a couple small scale real estate developments in Bay Area in past 3 years and now I am planning to do RE private lending business myself.

But if you're paying a 8% note and you're 100% leveraged, don't see how this cash flows unless it's an interest only deal then you're totally back end exposed and not gaining any equity when you do re-fi.

Do you love your major and you want to do RE on the side, or is RE your thing? 

1) Not keeping enough reserves. Big expense hits and owner cannot handle it

2) Fix/flip - unforseen repair needed. Too many deals go bad.

I'm curious to hear how RE empires go down during recessions.

We don't have to carry a lot of insurance to do RE investing.

Do RE investors always maintain a high debt/nw ratio because they keep adding properties?

@Isaac Bartels Charlotte is a great area to do RE Investing; Zillow predicts that Charlotte will be the hottest real estate market of 2023.

I gave the tech access to my back office in order for them to make changes for me since now I am starting to do RE investing (and I'm NOT tech savvy) and would like to add that to my site for lead capture.

Doing your REI within a self-directed IRA can also give you all of the property exchange and tax benefits without the restrictions of a 1031 exchange.So find a RE Investing CPA who also practices with self-directed IRAs personally and get their take on how to do RE exchanges  in the IRA and not via 1031.Cheers - enjoy the adventure!