If it weren't so darned far away for me to self manage, I'd start looking at Pueblo or Grand Junction, because the entire front range from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins is nuts.  

Because I enjoy the planning and coordination, I enjoy design and building, I want to be out in the field often, and I believe I'd excel at it.

The other thing to keep in mind is that concept of financial independence shifts over time as we age, have children and indeed grand children.  

Cost of lotAny costs associated with getting lot ready to buildAvailability of utilities (if not to the property, cost to install) Design costs (actual design, engineering, etc.)

Many duplexes here are serviced by a single water meter and, by design of the plumbing, difficult to impossible to sub meter.  

My ever-present entrepreneurial spirit had always been accompanied by a love of real estate, architecture and design, so it was inevitable that someday I would begin developing on my own.

However, instead of searching for replacement property on their own, the investor would identify and acquire a fractional interest (tenant-in-common interest) in real estate that the REIT has already designated. 

Depending on the dryer design, something like an errant dryer sheet or sock or scrap of fabric may have escaped the drum and fallen into the air piping in the dryer. 

That is also by design as the REI or guru bunch have a second class and a third and a forth........guess what, you never learn real estate you learn investor folklore.Trying to follow some system puts you at a real disadvantage.

I am interested in offering on a multifamily home in Grand Rapids, MI.