They have an undying spirit that keeps them going when most people stop.If you have those traits and are willing to work hard to get what you want there is nothing going to stop you.I view traditional education as a vehicle that measure ones resolve to start and finish something difficult over time. 

Avoid 2 bedrooms, busy streets, near rail road tracks, commercial neighbors, etc. 

I ahve also tried REI Rail and they are quick, but ridiculously expensive (Start up fee + monthly fee + fee to finally skip trace your leads).Does anyone else have any recommendations?

I have done a bit more research on the topic and although don't think it is the right vehicle for me personal to generate passive cash flow, it does appear that the program may hold value to the right person.

But three years later we are wiser and have finally decided to use real estate as our main vehicle to propel us into financial freedom.

@Daniel Rutherford welcome Daniel@George Blower - George is a good dude as well - George and his company helped me setup the financial vehicle to get into my present career just at a year ago.In the company of good people.

I am in Chicago, but @Eudith Vacio might be a good connection if you are looking in NW Indiana.Also, if you are looking to build your team check out the "Build your team" button on the top rail of BP:  https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-companies

That's why they're moving to Sacramento instead:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/621/topics/396725-millennial-migration-to-sacramento-2017---here-comes-the-rushAs more and more tech companies allow employees to work from home or commute part time, and more and more start ups head out to Sacramento to save on office space and employee pay, the city will just get better and better.And while it will take AT LEAST another decade to come to fruition, once the high speed rail project connects Sacramento to San Francisco in under an hour, Sacramento will BLOW UP when tech employees with $150k+ per year salary realize they can cut their housing costs by 50-75% and live like a king in Sacramento... all the while working on the train into the city (or doodling around on Facebook instead of having to focus on the drive and deal with traffic).https://www.sfcta.org/california-high-speed-rail-projectI know Sacramento better than just about any agent or investor out there (toots own horn), and these are the reasons investors (and residents) are skipping over smaller areas like Vacaville, Fairfield, Tracy, Modesto, Merced, etc. are instead setting their sights on Sacramento.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on what types of investment vehicles (aside from stocks) you would put money.

Do they communicate well, do their vehicles leak oil or are messy, do they enjoy talking to people, do they smell like cigarettes?