I am interested in Real Estate investing to assist in my pursuit of financial freedom along with working a full time job.  

Coming form a W2 (9-5 job) background doesn't exactly lend itself to understanding this principal.I wanted to try and start this string to hear some peoples stories of growing form a W2 income based person to a business owner and what allowed that to happen.To kick it off, a little over 2 years ago my wife and I started pursuing RE aggressively and this pursuit is what lead us to where we are today.

I am currently in pursuit of my brokerage license.

Hello BP.Are there any legal issues in California (LA county) for me to pursuit my real estate license to be able to source and benefit my own deals, put my own offers to for my real estate deals?

Guy A has Real wealth, compared to the "Fake" wealth of Guy B, wealth that actually decreases his ability to purchase assets, compared with cash equivalents.The point is that it seems to me that the guy that is unable to accumulate accessible wealth is at a huge disadvantage in this business to the point where much of his net worth is rendered useless in his pursuit of early financial freedom. 

I am very new in my pursuit of becoming a RE investor.

Were they incurred in pursuit of purchasing the first property?  

We used to subcontract rolled wrap until we learned about zip panels... haven't looked back since.Drywall is halfway trade and halfway artistic pursuit.

By no means is it get rich quick but given your pursuit of a PhD, I'm assuming your not afraid of a little hard work and delayed gratification!  

A contract will help in this pursuit, but who does the contract?