I am a sales rep in the Oil and Gas industry currently and I am researching this as a possibility for a career change.

Most experienced investors will tell you they have been dealt a lemon and lost money in the real estate game.

Not an easy license to get.Boats will need to be USCG compliant and you'll have inspections, they aren't just checking for life jackets, it's a survey (like an appraisal or home inspection, but worse, like checking air cleaner connections, oil or water leaks, service records, etc.

Also, I see brass, chrome, oil rubbed bronze, and satin nickel all mixed together.

While I was in college I did "flip" oil and gas leases in Oklahoma successfully.

We are still at the top of the scale as far as oil production and ag production go, but we are also diversifying our industries into a more stable and up to date job environment. 

Our local economy has been hit really hard by the drop in oil prices. 

I work in IT and oil and gas field where GIS data plays major role.

I live in Dallas and we never say hey let's head down to Houston for the weekend, it is always the opposite, let's head to Austin.Houston economy is tied to Oil so you will have ups and downs more there. 

And oil & gas is at a relatively low point in terms of local employment around here.