Collins, Colorado currently.My story: Graduated college, learned multiple trades (tile, stone, trim carpentry), worked as a contractor, remained poor, changed course, college again, and went into Healthcare, built a nest egg.

It is the best way to learn the trades.

I am a professional musician and music teacher by trade.

I always love trading war stories from other buy and hold investors! 

We run 3 full time crews that directly work for me that handle the 80% of the rehab; the items that need permits pulled, we sub that out to licensed trades that give us well beyond 50% discounts off retail due to the volume we give them in our Turnkey and Property Mgmt biz.  

If you look at the Fair Trades and Services Act, you will find that, basically, any service provided must be at a price that is usual and customary given the degree of competent services and relevant factors.

I've worked in the construction field and am a project manager/estimator by trade; but have always had a passion for finance.

I don’t have to worry about rumors affecting stock prices or high-frequency computers making automated trades that affect a sell-off.

However, the local economy was doing well, the dollar to pound was favorable (we got loans from a local British lender), and we bought slight fixers to live-in and improve, with a goal of selling for a profit and making gains on the currency trade.  

The oft-cited $10k/month goal requires a $3M net worth using publicly-traded securities in a modest balance.