It's not that difficult (although here in California, and I'm guessing Illinois, it's time-consuming) and it actually makes things a little easier because buyers and sellers trust you more.There are tons of people here on BP that only get their license for this one reason.However, I've done deals up in Evanston without a license and there are ways to use your wholesaling desire and knowledge legally.

Worse, investors like you and me now have competition from these consumer buyers willing to buy almost anything on the market, regardless of condition.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced a new rule today to prevent a wave of foreclosures due to coronavirus.Here is a summary from the New York Times:“In most cases, lenders will only be allowed to foreclose on a home if it is abandoned, if the borrower has not responded to messages for at least 90 days, or if the borrower has been formally evaluated for all available “loss mitigation” options (such as a loan modification) and none are viable.Servicers will also be allowed to proceed with foreclosures for borrowers who were already 120 or more days delinquent before March 1, 2020.The new rule also allows mortgage servicers to more easily offer some loan modifications so long as the changes do not increase a borrower’s monthly payments or extend the loan’s term more than 40 years beyond the modification date.”Nice for current homeowners but with the current high prices and low inventory, anyone hoping for a wave of foreclosures or crash may be waiting awhile. 

I wouldn't suggest it as a side career, it's very time consuming, however, you could try to do it that way, or you could lean all the way in and do it full time, too. 

Additionally, lenders sometimes add or reduce the price adjustments based on what products they are trying to incentivize buyers to consume.

I'm very much hungry and motivated and thus far I've tried to consume as much content as possible in personal finance, real estate, and general wellbeing.

I saw a couple of lists on Etsy and Google but it was primarily for the consumables.

My initial strategy is to D4D, from what I've researched it seems like the best way to become familiarized with my market, but on the flipside it is very time consuming.

Once you bring in full plans and permits, the process gets very complicated and time consuming. 

Just make sure to consume contents here as much as possible and feel free to ask any questions you may have.