with painting you have to be very specific.. in the deep south half those dudes will paint the windows shut and it looks like they have parkinsons there is so much splatter. 

It's a good starting point.https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-insurance-agents-red-flags 

Do you want to be caught red-handed stealing appliances by a big guy in a big ol' truck? 

Taking a deep dive into those automated reports will be beneficial. 

Luckily, while I don't quite qualify as an accredited investor at this point, I have a great resume with no red flags as a sophisticated investor and am confident I can find the right sponsor and foster that relationship as needed when the right opportunity presents itself. 

Seems to me you will want to focus on buy and holds since you'll have a pretty busy career so I'd dive deep on everything you can get your hands on pertaining to that. 

Build deep relationships with seasoned investors wherever you go and ask to get mentored.  

Then, you can deep dive into that market, learn the neighborhoods, zip codes, meet other RE professionals there, build your team, and start doing deals again.To your freedom,Brian

Back in the day, we called HELOCs 'second mortgages', and they weren't a thing to be proud of as most families that had to get a second mort on their primary home were in deep financial privy pits. 

YES, we may be a little biased, but check out our blog here on BP comparing Detroit to other cities and Deep Dives on Metro Detroit cities & neighborhoods: https://www.biggerpockets.com/...Your biggest question shouldn't be WHERE to invest, but HOW you will invest!