You have to find out what you want to do, and what your market offers but always keep in mind you want to leverage whatever rare and valuable skill you have as Ben explained.

Same skill set, just no longer moving goods and services that are illegal, they hung out with some white collar criminals (the thing about prison is it's full of criminals, what else is there to learn but what other types of crime and criminals there are?!) 

Seems like a bank would trade a higher then current interest rate for a long term fixed rate (like 25 years).. at these low rates, I fee like I’d take a % higher if I could lock it long term.

Ben, I have done a lot of evaluations of multi-family properties in more rural areas in Central Maine including towns like Farmington/Orono and In my mind, those are the places to invest. still have low vacancy rates/ low price per unit, trading at good cap rates ect. ya lower rents than Portland, South Portland but the frenzy down here is not worth it as an investment right now.

.), know your minimum cash flow or COCROI, keep looking at deals and practicing your analysis skills and Save your ammo and be ready to strike on a good deal. 

This was my first re conference so I do know that part of my problem was my own lack of knowledge and lack of networking skills.

They understand the trade-offs of both approaches.

Bird dog for wholesalers, get certified and work in a trade to help re-habbers, or find a way to just get involved in the process. 

My wife really wants to trade up which I’m fine with, but I want to do it in a way that makes financial sense.

This is certainly a question for him or her.That said, everything is negotiable, what you can or cant get is up to your (or your agent's) negotiating skills and how it is presented.