Has anyone transitioned from a construction manager role with a large company to developing real estate on their own.What has that experience been like?

The key to the letter is making sure it is very clear you are not a real estate agent.   

@Zack Whiting Id change your mindset of real estate investing being a hobby and making it a more serious part of your life.

DTI < 33%I've been constantly getting advised by my real estate agent (& i've discussed this with multiple agents) that if I add any contingencies to the offer, it won't stand a chance in the bay area market.If that is the case, how do I protect myself from challenges which could be found during home inspection / pest inspection related contingencies?

My interest rate and purchase price wouldn’t allow for positive cash flow unless I charged an unreasonable rent—or put about $500K toward the principal, which isn't ideal.I’m a high earner, so I’m weighing my options:Take the loss ($60K-$100K), buy another house, and chalk this up to a hard lesson learned.Refinance, put more money into it, and rent it out long-term—even if it’s not immediately profitable.Invest my money elsewhere and try to make peace with staying here for several years or just move.Would love to hear thoughts from anyone with experience in real estate, financial strategy, or noise mitigation.

As a professional property manager for going on 20 years and a real estate investor, I still encourage people to manage for themselves. 

Two of those are Real estate Investing, and working in the Residential Construction Industry.

Hey Justin, I agree with what others have said—you don’t need a license to become a real estate investor or entrepreneur.

Besides reading and listening to podcasts, my wife and I attend a local real estate investor meetup that has been extremely beneficial. 

Warning:If you depreciate a property down near zero and then have to sell your property at a loss during a situation of distress...You could end up giving all the proceeds to the bank AND owe the IRS a big chunk of money for recapture.Long-term tax planning with real estate needs to be coupled with risk management and making sure you don't lose any properties.