Yet, after listening to you it almost seems like we should be searching out other deals and getting money from private people as early as possible.Much like you I have a little experience in construction from my college days (working for a contractor on my days off from school and over summers but I'm not a craftsmen), so there is a small advantage there, but ultimately it sounds like if I want to get to that "freedom number" faster, or at least earlier, I'm going to have to figure out how to scale.I'm under no delusions that I am an expert after one deal, but I thought that after doing 2-3 deals and making them successful we would then have the creditably to get loans from others to really acquire some volume. 

Like you, I have passion for this business, but that isn’t a guarantee of success.

Here is to wishing you nothing but GR8 success in your 2017  (and beyond) REI ventures! 

Once my refi goes through I'm going to post a BP success story about it.

I have learned some much and feel that I will be successful.

I would say that most successful investors aren't pulling the trigger on a deal unless they can get really close to all their money back. 

I was curious how many other people have been successful with that.

That sounds strange, but you have nothing holding you back from venturing out of your security...because you have lost that security blanket that was your job.I would venture to say, that most of the success stories in history, started out where you are right now...me included.So, with nothing holding you back, and with plenty of time on your hands (time will always be your greatest asset...since you can never get it back), if you want to get into REI, you need to do the following:1 - Learn,2 - Learn some more,3 - Keep learning.Places to learn (before you say "that costs money"), that don't cost any money are:1 - Online education sites that have free articles written by experts in their fields.2 - Free e-books, that you can get online.3 - Joining your local REIC's to both learn and network.4 - ...and never stop learning...even when you become a success at this (and you will)Also, three very critical actions you MUST follow to be a success:1 - Always think possitive.2 - Train yourself to think of future "obstacles" as temporary problems...and you are the problem solver. 

I am studying BiggerPockets, speaking to people in my network like my agent and my Uncle, another successful property owner.

Being excited for the success of other investors rather than jealous creates a synergy of success that comes back to encourage me.