I think you are putting the cart before the horse.

I'm looking to become a real estate investor and start generating passive income so I can get out of the rat race. 

@Javier Graves I used Capital One and cold called them, they gave me a 30k card and I was off to the races to fix up my two properties.

And that's right from the horse's mouth.

Buy some saw horses.

My wife answered the phone and told me that she and my daughter and her cousin had come to the race to watch me finish.  

As it likely varies from state to state, I would go straight to the horse's mouth.

I get all kinds of ridiculous prices, that honestly some of those quotes have pushed me into DIY and in part, “I am grateful to them for that” because I have since learned a lot, but I do wish that at times, contractors would look past gender and even race before spitting out ridiculous prices.Secondly:Lack of follow-up.Not sure if it is just Denver, or if others are experiencing the same problem.Met with a contractor for come work needed on a property that I am purchasing.Seller will finance some of the repairs.Need contractor to provide a written quote.Bad enough we are having some language issues as he speaks Spanish, I don’t so communication is via google translate (oh boy).He came highly recommended, so I am trying to hang in there, but only for so long.Still waiting on him to send me the written quote.Sent out a reminder this evening asking him to provide by tomorrow or at least let me know if I should move on to find someone else.I really cannot understand what is happening with contractors in the Denver Metro Area.Perhaps they just have way too much business that if your project appears too small, then they will relax on responses?

Also discrimination based on race is not included in the exemption, as HUD leans on the Civil Rights Act of 1866 also. 

Make sure you keep some if you can to get out of the wholesaling rat race someday!