My current craft is working in the IT field and have been for over 16 years now.

I was considering switching crafts for that reason!

I realized that if I focus on mastering the craft of investing, that it's an opportunity I will have to help others reach their goals.  

@Kenneth Shelley   another way to put what Don mentioned is you may want to walk before you run.if at this point in your career your asking these very basic questions your not really qualified to lead your investment group.. you may make it ok but you could very easily go through a steep learning curve and lose your close friends money and based on my long career working with investors I can tell 1000% you lose their money in a RE deal and you are no longer friends no matter how close you think you are now.as for some constructive feedback here Is what I would consider if I was in your shoes.I would get my Real Estate license so you can prove to them your a professional and care about your craft..

It is a brand new construction from Style craft builders.

I don't anticipate a contractor to perform his craft any less effective just because we needed to cut costs.

I've been working construction for quite sometime and I order reak the benefit I must invest more time into the craft and less time doing what I want to do.The reason I've chosen to pursue real estate is because I want to learn but I also want to help people get a head the same way I would like to.Some of the avenues that i would like to learn about are wholesaling, fix and flip homes,buy and hold rentals, little or no money investing.I'm excited to see where this will go and 100% execited to change my life and those around me.

I'm so tired of my current job that I actually spend more time at work focusing on my craft of buy and hold lol.  

I am currently selling on ebay and I just applied at a local arts and crafts store to get some income for REI. 

When you can afford to not have a paycheck for 3-12 months and it not bring your entire house of cards downI've been full-time for 2yrs but I live in a duplex, have no debt except student loans, and spent years honing my craft at living below the poverty so can easily survive leaner times if they occur.