We have partnered with a competent builder to partner with us on our first two projects.

@Suzanne Player silly putty.

Nowadays, you also have to compete against technology and websites trying to take the job of the "realtor" away, but as long as it feels like a hobby and it is a passion, you won't ever stop until you make it.

It teaches you marketing, how to find a real deal and puts you in touch with the players in your market.  

Try competing with that as a private investor doing direct mail. 

I want to make sure that number one, real estate is something that I am passionate about, and number two, I am adequately knowledgeable to compete in this industry.Here are my burning questions:1.)

Usually in my experience, deals that start bad only end bad and most times even worse There will be other deals that are "more perfect" fit for you and without the pressure of competing offers.

Hey Maurice McNeil I am a professional basketball player too and I also invest in metro Detroit.

Usually they want 3 recent non-distressed sales and 3 current competing listings.

Everyone (buyers) wants to do it, no one (sellers) wants to take those offers over the competing 25%-35% down professional REI offers.Some people have luck with properties that are SFRs on paper, but still have rental potential.