The point of all the numbers is How much are you missing out on by not starting now.The specialized knowlege that is most important in investing is having exit strategies.Having a lot of tools in your tool belt gives you more options in each deal you do.You can buy and sell to wholesalers, buy and hold (rentals), buy and rehab, buy from wholesalers and sell toend buyers, buy notes on properties, buy on the courthouse step[s, lease options, straight options,partnerships,commercial Real Estate,buy land to develop,buying foreclosures, short sales, tax lien sales, buying estate sales, buying condemed properties, buying the right of redemption,inner city fixer upers, city and county programs, grants, become a Real Estate Agent, or even become a lender.The list of ways to profit in Real Estate goes on and on.

You also need to put in place a system for keeping track of tools, and making the employees generally accountable (some reasonable breakage and wear is to be expected, "losing" tools is unacceptable!)

The link above can also help you review these rules and even get quotes and apply online, but likely won't help with the non-traditional investments in real estate.

I am excellent at generating leads online, but I don't have an inventory of property.

It has proven to be a great tool for me!

Thanks for all of your advises, it turns out this agent is in the middle of quitting (or being fired) from the current broker and getting in to another; he has been sitting on doc for over 3 weeks (mostly basic REO disclosures that needed to be signed and return to selling agent) that he didn’t know how to pull them out of Windforms (Realtor Online Contract data base); asked seller’s agent questions about them over and over; lack of REO knowledge (REO Specialist printed on his card) and couldn’t care less for his last few clients…Relayed the facts above (with a little help from the selling agent) in addition to the tangible misled evident to my agent’s boss and got only 18 moths worth HOA fee ($810) credited.Yes, another rookie’s lesson learn; just didn’t think he would be that much out of line for a major issue like such; considering he’s a 72 year old guy with shallow ethic.

Natrelle,Welcome to the online family that is Bigger Pockets.

Re: the other tools that members receive, there is a remarkable opportunity using private investor money (REIT's) to joint venture the purchase of REO/short sale properties at 50-55% of FMV, and re-sell to retail buyers at 85-90% of FMV.

Yes it is a different tool but you are exposed to the same risks with a lease option.

Check out the Real Estate Tools section and links on the left side of the BiggerPockets home page.