But its a cultivated skill, and right now, Jane is crumbling. 

Having money is second to the skill sets.

Earl Nightingale used to teach the insurance agents employed by his company that 90% is Mindset and only 10% is the SKILL.

Business classes are also great, as while you build your enormous real estate empire, having concrete business skills will come in handy :)

Listening more than talking is one of the best skills taught in the book and I appreciate you emphasizing it as a recommendation.

My initial trepidation remains: Even if we get the leads, how/why would one assume I can close the lead with the success of a skilled wholesaler?

For cosmetic flips you’ll largely be focused on finding some skilled craftsmen to do painting, repairs, and perhaps some texture.

Having a great idea is a vital step to making it in the business world. Unfortunately, it is not enough on its own. You see, once you take into consideration all the things that can go sour like bad marketing, running...

I figure I could combine the two industry skills if I got into Real Estate. 

Social aspects of RE are not limited to low income tenants, far from it.Look too, for the National Association of Housing Officials and Redevelopment (NAHRO).Here are some organizations or other folks that deal in RE within their realm.Office of AgingAssisted LivingAdvocate Organizations for the blind, handicap, children, etc.City P&Z OfficesDept. of Defense, especially the Corps Of EngineersDept. of EducationDept. of Health and Human ServicesEconomic Development identifies blighted areas and funds redevelopment.HUD/USDA have social and economic skills educationHOA organizationsLook to your local United Way, they are often the gatekeepers for funding going to community service organizations and they will know non-profit housing entities that serve an area.Developers base growth from social impact studies, demographics are the social and economic movement of populations.