While I do thoroughly enjoy working in the construction industry, I want to be able to leverage the knowledge that I have gained in construction and the information I have learned from studying finance (I do not want all my time/money spent on my Finance degree not be put to use!).  

I don't see why one+ couldn't then study the demography, before targeting those metro areas and enclaves that are attracting more businesses... due to rapid growth, lower taxes, better wages and standards of living, etc.I have moved between Portland metro, Sonoma County, etc., etc. numerous times, since first coming here in 1988.

Real estate agents: What are best practices you've discovered for using Facebook ads for lead generation?

If you study this market close enough you'll see a lot of similarities to "bubble" markets.

I was studying for months and months before I jumped in (also working in real estate doesn't hurt :P).  

As you've now discovered, out market here, especially for MF, is insane.

Study and evaluate the current demographics compared to the history of the trend over at least a 5 to 10 years period.

I'm going to listen to the podcasts and study these forums all weekend and see if there are any meetups next week.

Probably you will need to study the prices on that area.

I believe had I discovered BP earlier in my investing career I'd be light years ahead of where I currently am.