And if not the exception than certainly an outlier numbers wise.As @Joe Villeneuve  said, your tax consequences will have to be considered when evaluating cash flow vs. appreciation. 

You can trade gold for food in such circumstances.

On SFRs, compute your cash on cash return and determine if you're making a sufficient return on the money you put in.As with any investment, you should trade off the expected return with the risk.

Sure you could go into sales or a trade and make some OK money in your early 20s, but over time that 4-years in college is time well spent.

Working with a team is a great way to leverage your time and to learn the basics of the trade!

With trades and mechanical work.

Best bet  is to get a job doing construction.If you do do GC YOU WILL NEED CONTACTS for all the sub trades, as well as a knowledge of most of them. 

I just know my gut tells me I wouldn't want to live near something with so many possible health consequences.  

We self perform most of the trades (or direct labor).

He evaluates deals in my area and when he spots one, he sends me out to evaluate using his "trade methods", in exchange he is offering me a profit share, knowledge, and and has asked me to sign a 2-year non-compete.I'm not sure what I'm exposing myself to by signing this non-compete.