I could be financially free, but I love my job and will work per diem at least during retirement.I've seen people immensely successful doing just real estate, and having just a career, as well as both real estate and a career.Why not take a little bit of both, and do trade school, learn how to be a contractor, BRRR houses and do real estate?

Any insight or guidance that anyone can provide will be extremely beneficial and is immensely appreciated!

Win win.After all, "If you want to go quickly go alone, if you want to go far, go together" - African Proverb

Finding those two can relieve immense pressures on you.

Even had a phone call with the dude, the FB profile was of an Indian dude, consistent with being a Mauritius based company, but accent was clearly west African.

The people on here have helped me immensely. 

Any information or advice is always welcome, as I am in a stage of immense learning and growth, and if there are any other Chicago folks present hit me up anytime!

I have followed the latter immensely as I work for a nonprofit focused on clean water preservation worldwide and it would not surprise me if Michigan was shipping billions of dollars of water to Arizona in the next few years. 

I do find it interesting that latino neighborhoods tend to gentrify over african-american neighborhoods (with the exception of Hyde Park). 

These are things that seem intimidating and halt the whole process but little by little hitting these topics on your way to finding and bidding and closing on the home helps immensely.