I'd urge you to pass the test and team up with a brokerage which fosters the development of new agents.  

:speaking of taxes. how much confidence do you have in the online portal where you can check delinquent taxes for cook county ?

We work with a lot of investors like yourself, and I'm confident we can give you good guidance.  

You will really learn a ton about this business and more importantly you will gain confidence.

Knowing about those areas will give me some confidence as I'm searching for that first deal. 

I want to become the type of investor, and developer, that leaves a green footprint in communities; keeps communities in tact, while fostering new growth and development.

Also, have to know how to make the lender or partner feel confident you know what you're doing.

Message me when you find your first property or need any help, I'm confident you can meet my challenge off having it before June of next year.  

But to better prepare yourself if you are not sure what to do then the easiest thing is to learn a particular niche where you feel confident enough to know exactly what you want to do with any capital.

Just make sure you're confident with the numbers, that's what will make it or break it.Good luck!