Don't get too hung up on comp based valuations because there aren't generally many retail sales to compare to.  

just dialing for dollars may have worked 20 years ago, especially in the stock brokerage industry but no longer today.  

They got to the deal first or they "sourced the deal" as we call it in the industry.  

My opinion is that most of them get into the independent contracting industry because they don't want to work for someone, but then they realize everything that goes with running their own business and its not the kind of stuff they want to do & you are still working for someone...the client;)Or you can have someone like I do that doesn't want to listen to your direction and just do things how he wants them done, because he's been doing things for 20 years and doesn't want to listen to a rookie. 

I'm seeing many investors in my area paying nearly retail for their deals...in fact, I just did a deal that was nearly retail, because I didn't have any other avenue at that moment. 

If the HOA had its FHA cert I would have stayed in the deal, done the mini rehab, and resold retail.  

Having a full time job in the transportation industry with a busy job of 60+ hours.

I'm not new to the industry, construction or real estate, but primariliy I operate in Commercial, Multifamily construction and management.  

I absolutely love real estate investing and would like a day job that is in the industry.

I had a REIT the other day that owns a big shopping center here and other buildings across the street.They contacted me wanting to lease up a small retail center.