As @Max Yuan stated, this is a numbers game.

As much as investors tend to complain about realtors, I'd strongly suggest that YOU need one since you sound very new to the game.

It's a numbers game for certain so the more you see the quicker you'll be able to identify a good deal.

I can to share my experience with a solution that has been a game-changer for us.

Paying to get in the right rooms can be game changing, but as you acknowledged you have to take it on yourself to make it worth your while.As for your question, it was pretty confusing.

With that being said I have found an opportunity to get back in the game. 

Issue two is that because it is essentially a game of telephone, there are delays and many misunderstandings. 

The property owner always loses while the arbiter has no skin in the game at all, just skimming profits off of the owner and can walk away any time they want without reprocussions. 

I’ve been in the real estate investing game for over 20 years, primarily focusing on the Tampa Bay area.

For this one, I'd say a fix/flip is definitely the "easier" way of getting into the game vs. new build but it still has its pros/cons.