It's a great book that teaches you about why you make the decisions you do.

If I upgrade to pro, will it teach me how to evaluate deals better along with allowing me to present it better to cash buyers?

I am looking for somebody in the Charlotte area who knows how to leverage properties and can teach me to do so. 

if you want to learn about REI i have about 15 podcasts that i listen to every week. if you’re hooked on something more structured you could even just buy the real estate agent course books if you think they may add value. lastly i think your money would be even better spent on paying a mentor to teach you or even taking a guru’s class, which kind of makes me cringe to be honest. however, i will say, at least when i took the real estate agent course, there was very little on actual investing.

We met while we were getting our teaching degrees, but nowadays she's at home with our two feisty (OH SO FEISTY) redheaded daughters and I'm the director of a middle school. 

You have any recommendations for books etc that teach the basics as you mentioned.

Boy this one is def teaching me some things.

We don't know what's going to happen, but it is entirely possible we have another 2008 style scenario where property values are cut in half. 

I have no problem giving time to bid a project I may be awarded (will only lose the project if my cost, working style, or availability are not in line with goals); however, I can't afford to give time bidding a project that a client may be unable to award, even if we’re the perfect fit (they don’t own or have the property under contract).

@Maricell Hall I was reading the messages, thanks for teaching me too!