It's just the nature of the game.

does that directly imply with natural disasters?

For naturally occuring rehabs/updates I expense out the materials through the real estate buisness and take no wage.

Why....because it is a smart business decision naturally.

Back story: My area is not serviced with natural gas and gets a lot of snow. 

Would it be best to learn more about real estate through my job as a potential real estate agent or something of this nature?

It's a natural process to retain some properties and flip others. 

However, based on some communications with my immigration lawyer the nature of fix and flips involves some degree of conducting business which would be a violation of my visa status (which allows me to only work for my current employer).So I am trying to come up with a plan to start the investments without breaching any immigration restrictions.

My interest in real estate grew naturally last year from selling my home and buying a short sale.

In short, I believe there will naturally be ups and downs but that the U.S. southwest in general and Las Vegas in particular is primed for further growth (i.e. rental growth and price appreciation).