My current personal favorite business and productivity book is Gary Keller's "The One Thing." 

It won't be a problem for you, right up until it is.I can't tell you how many phone calls I've received from new, excited wholesalers that have gone to a seminar where a guru tells them how to operate illegally.Here's the link to MA law on who needs a license - and it definitely covers the favorite dodge of "I'm not selling real estate - I'm only selling my equitable interest in a contract". 

My favorite motivational poster (so far):

A favorite trick of sellers is that for one or two years before they put their property up for sale they stop doing any preventive maintenance, and only do the repairs that are absolutely necessary, in the cheapest way possible.  

Joel is one of my favorite people on this site!  

Either way, I'm in CA as well (LA) and passive income is my favorite!

My favorite idea that keeps resurfacing is avoiding probate by getting deeds from heirs of deceased owners and then filing a QTA.  

You'd get a few quotes.Submit a loan application with a national bank like a BOA or Chase, then a local credit union and (my personal favorite) a loan originator.

Not my favorite type of investing.

The bonus being a great start to a professional relationship with someone highly respected in her field.My favorite thing about this whole process however, has been getting to know the buyers.