Details here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521/topics/1214849-dmv-...I recommend checking them all out initially, I bet you'll have a lot of fun networking!

If the real estate is producing a steady return, you can make more aggressive bets with stocks or other alt assets.

Getting multiple contractors involved will be your best bet to get a reliable estimate, though you need to come up with a scope of work.

I'd bet if there were a good field of competition the price would drop

I also read in real estate by the numbers that it's risky to bet on market appreciation.

If not, buying a turnkey, rent-ready property could be a better first bet.

My son just joined the Navy and now that I’m an empty nester I want to make a shift and bet on myself!

I could maybe sign up with that theory if the GPs were using the side hustle money as a way of cutting or eliminating their fees & salaries altogether while they try to hang in long enough to hope for enough rate cuts to refinance or the market to unfreeze and let them unload at least at break-even, but I bet none of them do anything of the kind. 

@DeBret McGee IIYour best bet is to secure a deal with creative financing, seller financing or meter lease options.

If you are in a high fire zone, the California Fair Plan is likely your best bet.