Locals were actually holding signs and picketing outside the Board of Commissioners office, lobbying that they "do something" about our "housing crisis."

This way you can learn the ins and outs of the business while putting some $$ in your picket that you can reinvest in your biz. 

It's not white picket fences showcased on HGTV.What can you sacrifice to start the journey?

A deck/patio over 18" above grade needs railings and pickets of some sort to keep kids safe. 

We created the perfect American white picket fence house on the corner.

We created the perfect American white picket fence house on the corner.

We are refinancing our primary mortgage and asked about one of our 4-units and our broker said banks aren't touching anything that's not a "slam dunk white picket fence"-type property so that's going to put a damper on buying activity for a time.

I believe they can be found on Bigger Pickets as well.

If it's replacement with a 6 ft picket privacy fence then the price is about $16.50 per foot which is on the high side but not too bad for my area especially if it includes a gate which is there but not mentioned in your quote.

Keep learning, and figure out what you want to focus on, picket the market, build the time, do the deal.