My application process went smooth and yes we paid the sign up fee for the 100% financing, Yes we have an adviser, Yes we have a project manager.Yes we have access to 3 deals at a time, Yes the 1st evaluation is free and we have to pay for the others, I made sure to ask every question there is.

Do not smooth over the numbers to make it look good (That is what Sellers do!).

Now we are working at paying off all that debt and I have to say it hasn't been smooth sailing all the way because things come up but it's going good.

The next few times it went much more smoothly.

Then wait if the responses are still smooth. 

So the short answer to your question is...you should focus on both especially since it seems you have a gameplay for your REI career.You mentioned you are not 18 yet.  

That might come down the road but as of right now it has been smooth sailing with decent growth pace that I feel comfortable with (I usually gain about 1-2 properties per week).

White paint covers many sinsPersonally I prefer a all fiberglass panel some call 'kemlite' aka dairy barn liner,,,aka whatever they are calling it at the store your at.  4 x 8 sheets with a ripple white face on one side and smooth white on the other. 

Most all successful investors have done lots of their work, I've be schocked, fell off a roof, a ladder, cut myself with power tools and spent hours trying to smooth dry wall.No more!

(The person I know applied for a loan and everything was going smoothly.