I hated doing the engineering and would have preferred being RE, but there were some MAJOR advantages to doing the engineering while I did it:- Had a steady paycheck while I 'figured out' real estate and where I fit in with it, and benefits of course- The company was contributing to my 401K while I was there which ended up being free money I used later to buy real estate- It gave me time to really figure out my niche in real estate.

I focused the majority of my education on electrical, plumbing and HVAC.

If the roads were that bad I would direct the person to call the highway department.

I look at sales comparables and population/demographic trends, and look over the area on a map and on Google Earth.Second, I contact the local citizens with regards to the building and if possible, the previous ownership.Police Department can tell me insider's opinion and can give me a breakdown of crime in the area.Fire department - have they had any emergencies at the building recently.City Inspector - are there any outstanding violations?

One of our first homes had a neighborhood street behind it that became a cut-through to a new major road.

I have a major fixer in Oildale that will be ready to and desperately in need of rehab in about a week or two. 

I'm seeing this on majority of bank-owned.

I'm basing my opinions on the fact that my lender could care less when the new rule came out, and I have not been notified of any major changes.

@Paul Jamgotch and another major benefit is that you don't need to have a custodian with Solo 401k, you make the investment decision and then simply write the check.

@Min KangI would say worse case scenario that it has been updated with MAJOR codes renovations.