I would love to be financially independent and work for just myself someday, and I see real estate as one potential investment vehicle to help me achieve this goal.I currently rent the property where I live in Durango, and between my girlfriend and I, we pay $950 per month in rent....for a 1 bedroom condo...Yikes!

And I, like all of you am driving toward becoming independently wealthy using Real Estate as the vehicle to make that possible.

While that's a perfectly valid idea and its hard to do without some accumulation of assets, I would argue its independent of "rich" and "wealth".Many folks live off the income from their assets.

I would suggest looking at your local independent brokers.

or an independent appraisal is better?

Photocopy the receipt and give her two weeks to pay half the amount, independent of rent.

They should try to help you out.The BPO's, doing a lease, managing the property you need to check FIRST your IC (independent contractor) agreement with your brokerage you have your license with.The brokerage might not have E and O insurance for those activities or want you performing them.

If you are an agent you need to check your IC agreement (independent contractor) to see what the brokerage allows or doesn't allow for real estate activity.

The thing I like best about working independently in real estate is that it is my choice (as long as my wife's ok with it ;) ).

You'll be an independent contractor so no 9-5 job BS and it would also assist in your investing.