In your opinion what set of skills would aid a newbie the best for buy and hold investing?

Provide more programs for Start ups.Remove The Cap on Social Security.Provide a "Rational" National Health Care Plan.Change Hiring Practices to make it nearly Impossible for Illegal Emigrants to get Jobs.Drug testing for Welfare.Restructure food stamps to be more like WIC.

After all, they own all students through loans going forward, they make the cars, they own the banks, they underwrite 90%+ of new mortgages, they own your health care..... is anyone paying attention?

Jeff -I agree that you can do this yourself with the aid of a reliable and competent property manager and investor savvy agent in your city of choice, Atlanta, Memphis, KC, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, etc.

It's like saying you want to go from a Red Cross first aid class to brain surgery.A bank does not just negotiate note sales with people off the street!

I currently work in healthcare, but I'd like to eventually transition out of this arena and into YOURS!

:)That works for me, I'm a mortgage processor today, tomorrow I'll be an investigator, but only in the morning, later I'll be on call to render first aid to swimmers at the lake as an emergency technician.

Then build a robust real estate model to aid you in future pursuits.

LOL :) DONE ..... but they do have free healthcare :)http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9077506/Sex-change-British-man-gives-birth-to-son.html

I formed my partnership with a C-corp that is only 2% partner but still allows me to take advantage of certain perks such as a healthcare plan.