I took the skills I learned there (tile work was my specialty) and offered those skills at a discount to a local investor in exchange for learning how he found/negotiated deals. 

Unless there's tremendous value-add opportunity here (which I'm not seeing), I say you move on.

This does a few things:It allows the seller to drop the price a bit and give us something of a "bulk" discount on the purchase.It allows my buyer to negotiate cheaper prices with their contractor.

Many people are doing wholesaling sucessfully but I feel in the market we are currently in it makes more sense to be an agent and try and earn commissions and then be able to buy houses as a discount / reduced downpayment. 

@Andrew Caldieraro 4% rate is for owner occupied not for investment and $5k is high for a refi, it looks like you are paying discount points.

We have the opportunity to purchase another property at a huge discount, but the contract is still 180k. 

I come across highly discounted deals in various areas within and outside of central OH/Columbus.

One was at a massive discount due to hurricane damage.

There is not any reason to give a discount to a doctor and a lawyer.

It brings me tremendous joy to be part of a team dedicated to bringing innovative new products to market which improve the quality of life of our patients.I am still in the process of doing my due diligence of absorbing and expanding my real estate knowledge as it relates to investing.