I currently work as director-level major gifts fundraiser for a non-profit here, but am hoping to parlay some of my skills to a career in real estate.My mother has worked as a real estate agent for a majority of my life (in TX), even starting her own company / brokerage six years ago, so I've grown up on the fringes of the real estate community.

Love your planning and organizational skills!!

Over the next 12-18 months, my real estate investment goals are to:1) buy a multi family property as an owner occupant2) become a licensed real estate agent3) continue learning about single family and multi-unit buy and hold strategies4) develop a greater understanding of my local market (where I see few opportunities)5) identify out of area markets where prospects seem brighter such as Baltimore, Richmond, Atlanta (my hometown), and Houston (my next destination if/when I leave DC)6) connect with REI veterans and identify ways my skills can benefit themAs I continue to save money, I hope to begin earning additional income by serving more experienced investors.

Kelly....My feeling on this program.I worked for many years in a VA Medical Center (retired last year after 30 years).  

If I were you I wouldn't go so far as saying that, as a beginner, you had more skill than luck, be that as it may, check out Scottsdale discount brokers.

Will that be a "living wage", in skilled areas, say a welder, maybe, in paper pusher jobs, I doubt it.

Does anyone have experience with specific sites or companies that cater to placing corporate executives or traveling medical professionals?

But it's probably safe to assume that they aren't equally skilled, aren't equally paid and won't provide the same level of care to your kids.Basically, it's your job to find the GC that has the skills most like the high-paid nanny but as close as possible to the weekend babysitter prices...Maybe I should just do some research, then make an appointment witht few of contractors who pass the initial internet sceening test, show them the property and ask them for an estimate and the timeline of work.This may give me a better idea which contractor to pick.That will work, as long as you're talking to the right GCs.

I've also done literally one month rentals for visiting medical interns.

Savvy real estate investors that have good negotiating skills, combined with being at the right place at the right time, can buy properties or notes at significant discounts, especially in today’s real estate environment.