The construction cost has been soaring in the last 3 years in the Bay area (I work in the corporate construction industry and our project management office is forecasting 10% escalation in all of the MEP trades in this year).

@Christopher Rogers As I understand it the problem you run into with these is the loan is attached to the property taxes as an assessment, so a bank will not loan on the property because they would be in second position.I have never seen the subordinate clause at the end there and don't know how that would work.If you take the buyers perspective, they also want it paid off because they are paying full retail for an updated house, then are making payments on the upgrades for years.

I am currently building my knowledge base for investing and have begun some initial steps towards networking futures relationships within the industry.  

I have a backround in construction and have always wanted to try a flip.I live in Bergen County NJ and work in NYC in the finance industry, and I am looking expand and collaborate with like minded people.  

there of course are a number of questions you should be asking... as boots on the ground are you just checking out houses for them, trying to buy them, are they going to wholesale them after you lock down the deal or are they going to renovate and retail them.. etc etc etc.      

I am looking for some advice here, I have been in the real estate industry for a little over 10 years now mostly as a commercial broker. 

I am very excited to join this community as this industry really fascinates me.

Looking to network within the Real Estate Industry.

In the interest of giving you a concrete answer, however, I'd say you need at least $15,000 USD MINIMUM to get started in this industry if you expect to make more than minimum wage, unless you have great connections who you can convince to take huge risks.

We are sure to find something locally appropriate on biggerpockets.Growing up around the real estate industry, I have seen how RE investing leads to wealth.