I am also looking at this as my first step into real estate investing so I feel that the lessons I learn, and skills learned are vital for the next deal (which by the way will most likely be out of state due to crazy new York city prices – so definitely will be using a property manager) @Tony Cavalli I tried using it but it wants me to sign up and become a paying member.

Not knowing what skills or experience you have, I can't really advise you, but if you have specific questions, please post them.

Also I was thinking that another way to make a little money and hone my skills at valuating properties would be to become a licensed appraiser.

In addition to sales and marketing skills, you'll want to build a team of professionals that you can rely on (title, escrow, appraisers, inspectors, contractors) as well as contact as the government agencies you will occassionally visit.

Being a carpenter is helpful, but you need a bunch of additional skills.

There are lot of fun ways to get better at the art of negotiation, do you want to improve that skill in general or only within wholesaling?

There are over about 180,000 members on here all with various skills levels and expertise.

Better have good people skills and good policies & procedures in place.

This business keeps me on my toes and utilizes my critical thinking skills and my interpersonal communication skills.

I think the decision to get a job in real estate or get a job in the field you have been in, is really according to what your skill set is.If you make really good money in your field, it will probable take a long time finding a job in real estate to replace that, if your more in the early part of your career, it might be possible to replace your income a little easier as an agent, etc.I would really recommend finding a steady source of income, without that, you will have a very, very tough time finding the loans you need, and if you do the cost will be high.If your making $100k doing "xyz", and would have to start out making $20k a year in real estate working for an investor (I'm making that up), go back to "xyz" and build up your reserves, if your making $25k in "xyz", then going to the $20k job and learning real estate while your doing it wouldn't be such a big hit.