This is a real estate forum but surprising to see how much proper asset allocation focused towards a healthy mix of ETFs/index funds (and a mixture of RE products) gets bashed here.

A healthy percentage of those are, well, to put it kindly, outdated and in disrepair. 

@Dennis Liu - you're right and thank you for the reminder there. i guess what i struggle with is choosing between a 9-5 job and having an opportunity to work in a commission style, high risk high reward kind of structure. just thinking maybe my one thing i can do today is to make a career move and grind it out till i have a healthy amount saved up... curious to get your thoughts there if you have?

Absent that, I would look at online reviews (with a healthy amount of skepticism).

I'll be honest with you:it sounds like you're attempting to dive into two separate business at the same time (selling solar panels & wholesaling houses).This is a huge entrepreneurial no-no.If you're going to get into a new business, your attention should NOT be divided.That being said, if you've $25k to spend, the best thing to do with it, is nothing.Not completely nothing, but spend it on ListSource and Skip Tracing.It's your business, you need to lean into it.Take the list and cold call it.Talk to homeowners, get comfortable being uncomfortable.You need to make offers and fail forward.After you've a deal or two under your belt, I'd recommend hiring and training (local) Americans to cold call for you.You'll get no greater ROI than this :)As @David Lecko said, enjoy your trip and hit the ground running once you're back on US soil!

Next downcycle, I'll stop investing in the midwest and scale upwards here in San Diego.Lots of different options but make sure you earn some good money and build healthy financial habits first to start REI on solid ground.

If the site is unimproved and never been built on before, you may ask a couple survey guys to look at it if you aren't sure how good the soils are in that area.

Happy New Year all - may it be safe, healthy and prosperousKelly

No discharging of firearms allowed (neighbor shoots his gun off back porch) 7 .Any property subdivided must be mapped by a soil scientist and approved by the local government entity responsible for issuing septic permits. 

Or...I must be really old-fashioned about marriage, making babies and taking care to bring my family up in a happy and healthy home.