I have 5k in savings and there are properties that I am eying on Zillow (should I use an alternate search engine?)

Does anyone know some structural engineers that will sign off on some simple drawings required by the city so we can get our rehab done?

Contact a local architect/engineer for a detailed consultation specific to your project/locale. 

With a combination of real estate and construction contracting experience, I have been responsible for overseeing day to day management of property acquisitions and sales, tenant build-out, capital improvements and base building projects including build to suit, hard bid renovations and design build contracts.My work have included; financing and grant proposals, pre-construction planning, budgeting, project scheduling, contracting with architects, engineers and other consultants to oversee plan preparations, as well as bidding and general contractor.

For motivation, I work full time as an engineer so it can be hard to stay motivated to do any work on the side, let alone something I enjoy like real estate.

However, I have a civil engineering degree with no financial education.

Currently I hold a software engineering position with a small company in Chelsea and plan to continue working my day job while investing in real estate on the side.

I am a civil engineer that works in large commercial construction, so I am not scared of a construction project.

I am a 30 yo full time petroleum engineer, and my wife is a stay at home mom with 2 kids, 5yo and 3 yo.My current goals with real estate are to diversify my investments, but most importantly to establish passive income so that I may one day replace my current salary with rental property cash flow, freeing my time and location to do more important things such as giving back to the community, spending more time with family, seeing new places, and experiencing new activities. 

Confidence without knowledge is like a sports car with a lawnmower engine.