Remember too that RE is not a get rich quick business but it IS a get rich business.

Here's how I approached it:Searching on CL and Zillow got me to this SFH in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore (hipster/very desirable, lots of cute restaurants, shops, Whole Foods, etc.).

They don't want 1099s because that will invalidate their claim for government subsidy aka food stamps aka EBT.

The kitchen counters, floors and appliances are sticky and with visible dirt and food.

I was first introduced to the subject of real estate by Robert Kiyosaki's  book Cash Flow Quadrants (I only read the cliff notes to Rich Dad Poor Dad, I should probably read it!)

REI ultimately allows you to spend your time doing what you want to do (like helping out in Pakistan) instead of trading your time for money to make other people rich. 

I am not working a JOB tied down to a boss... i do operate my own wild food plant business which gives me alot of down time for other things.

For me reasons include: better able to be a niche salesperson e.g. investors, in a metro area with a lot of opportunities to expand e.g. property management, loving the unique character of the region e.g. historic homes, wide variety of unique amenities, FOOD, and I've put in a lot of hours getting to know the local market.Small towns may have opportunity to dominate the market pretty quickly, but it also doesn't take many agents to oversaturate.

I surmised the "riches are in the niches" and I was right. 

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