How the heck are you suppose to pre-walk my property for your clients wearing those shoes?

That's apples to shoes, not even oranges.If one does stocks, in 401k and after tax, AND does REI, then one doesn't have to worry at retirement which one is higher.

Flippers will have to put their houses in showcase condition to stand out in a pickier market.

I got a better finish out of the new, of course, but I'd say, if I were in your shoes, why not just prime, texture, and repaint the walls to your liking?  

Standard onboard horseplay evolved dumping a bucket of powder over someone's head, or into their clothes locker, filling their shoes with it, etc.The man later worked as a fireman for a large oil company - asbestos was handled the same way, you could not see across a daylight boiler room for the asbestos dust in the air, and on the night shifts he and his peers would take turns sleeping while buried in the dry asbestos in the back parts of the asbestos storage bins - with just their faces exposed.

I think you can definately grow your business but I would keep your teaching position for a while if I were in your shoes.

I myself am building toward my first deal, hoping to be in your shoes soon!

For smaller cities, I think Dubuque stands out due to recent gentrification and influx of business.If I was in your shoes, I don't think I'd focus on these metros and nowhere else.

You could easily throw tax lien investing, lending, owning a shoe store, owning a restaurant or starting an online retail business into the mix as well.  

I'm still waiting for the shoe to drop on commercial loans, I haven't heard the thump yet.