Hey Alex welcome aboard bud.As far as value, bottom line is, you need to know your market, that should tell you a lot of the story.Estimating repairs is an art that if you are not and have not been in the construction fields will take time to learn, get some contractor quotes, ask questions and then take some walks around your big box home repair stores looking over materials and prices for what your current projects are.

They are essentially self-employed in a services field with a business office.

I am new to this field and I am looking out in every direction to help me get started and work with the right folks.I am from Charlotte, and my goal is to buy and hold rental properties starting off with buying one this year if possible.

Our local Code Enforcement group was cut from 7 employees in the field to 5, due to budget cuts, and they have more to do than just pull down signs.

If I had done as the other posters suggested, and got employment in a real estate related field, I probably would have been able to have accelerated my 13 year time frame.Even though I started with nothing, I managed to beat the odds and have accomplished more than I ever imagined would be possible.

I'd advise you NOT to get any more degrees [like I foolishly did] unless it's needed to take some state test allowing you to practice your profession -- like a Juris Doctorate to become a lawyer, BS in nursing to become an RN, or any other field requiring a college degree before taking a state test to enter into a profession..

One way is changing careers and working in a field that is involved in real estate.

That expertise can only be learned in the field.

That plus your dad seems to have already gotten some field info out there you could use.

I'm an Army type, enlisted and later commissioned.Reminds me that after WWII Korea and Viet Nam I'd say most men in construction and related RE fields were vets.