I’ve been poking around on BP for a bit now but felt I should make a formal introduction.I am a software engineer by trade.

The way the market is now in NZ it is hard to fined 10% gross yields deals from trade me or RE website. you could possible create it if you buy and add value.

To add to some of those that you have already mentioned.Red: No written contract and wants money up front (assuming you have not est a relationship).Run:  Absolute piece of s*** vehicle that usually does not fit the stereotype of the trade they claim to be a part of.Red: Cant return a phone call in a timely fashion.  

My entire professional background has been spent working in construction, through several trades and companies, with my favorite skill set being finish carpentry.

The fact the you are asking this question for your friend is exactly why so many blue collar trade owners go out of business or struggle for ever.

Investors trading flip houses back and forth etc.

Short term stock trading/option trading is a completely different animal.  

I don't want to end up like most people I know; trading time for money, only looking forward to weekends off, missing out on my kids' lives to punch a clock or living a "comfortably miserable" life blaming someone or something else for my lack of ambition and success.

@Glenn Gayet,J Scott's comments are spot-on.Comparing  hourly rates, however, is a W2 person's paradigm: trading your time for income.

sorry a little harsh thereI am currently dealing with that house with the garbage disposalAnd the tenant is asking when am I going to fix it because it is a priority for herI had to take cRe of an emergency at another prop and had to push her repair backAnd she is rightfully inquiring when I can get to her But in my mind what is the big deal about a garbage disposal?