Find a "Mentor" who truly knows the market, and clone the skills and capabilities they have.

It is a learned skill but also some people will just never feel comfortable with it but possess their own strengths.     

I suggest you concentrate on paying off your student loans while honing your real estate skills. 

I would link it, but that's beyond my skill level.

I realize that I'm far more cynical than your average person, but it helps me get by in business :)With that being said, there could be upside if what he said was true and you have the knowledge, experience, financial backing, and skills to turn around commercial properties.

Eventually, I would like to build something where disadvantaged kids in lower income neighborhoods have a safe place to play and study and develop their skills. 

Dont have much money but I do have skills and resources. 

I have been taking notes and my skills are I believe increasing because of all of you.The book sugestion is great and I will down load the reading material today to read.Thanks everyone

Now I really want to truly test my skills in the world of business without limitations.I chose real estate because it has always interested me and seems to have many possibilities.

. -  Personally, if I were the investor, I'd think less of your negotiating skill if you were to throw out a number to me as opposed to asking me what I wanted.