I would like to find a job that might teach me skills related to buying and/or owning real estate.

I definitely suggest you hone those skills and NEVER second guess yourself.

Like you I've still got a day job and if you're looking to relocate anyway, my employer pays very well for people who either have strong analytical skills or strong business acumen (or both).

You might be able to put the title of a car, or RV, or even another property on the table if you don't fulfill the requirements of the note.If the property needs any repairs you can use your skills, if you have any, to compensate for that down payment with the agreement that the price is negotiated to a better price.

Spend as much time honing your skills at picking a good partner as you do learning to pick a good deal.

I brought my painting skills (well...

Here are my suggestions: hold off calling the professional community until you've got a few deals under your belt and have developed a level of confidence in your problem solving skills.

You can also become a RE agent/Appraiser etc....to not have a regular 9-5 job and be able to set your own hours, while learning some skills that will help in your real estate investing and continuing to have verifiable income.

The point is, it is good to have a solid foundation and multiple skills, but for us, we use them all to support one business, development.

I do not currently have any official real-estate agent licensing or property-management skills.