That is why everyone here is emphasizing relationships and networking.

I don't mean to boast, just to emphasize just how hard it is to do well in this biz.

Network and build relationships, I cant emphasize this enough. 

At this point, I am prepared to invest $30-40k for a downpayment and torn between and still learning about 3 options - rehab/flip in San Diego, turnkey cashflow investment in Chicago/Indiana, Out of state rehab/flip.This is really an incredible forum looking at the "ready to share knowledge" culture which further emphasizes in my mind that real estate is really not a zero sum game...I look forward to connecting with folks here...

The scope of that project was very similar and was $110,000, but he emphasized that there were multiple issues with that particular property.

Pull comparables of similarly distressed properties that have recently sold; use a rehab checklist to get a rough idea of repair cost, and emphasize that a cash offer will move closing process much faster.  

He's pretty much like a brother to me and is one of the friends I spend a lot of time with... but I don't want to be a video game playing stoner.Something that Josh and Brandon often emphasize here on BiggerPockets is to associate with the kind of people you strive to be like.

I got a business degree that emphasized real estate.  

I recently attended a RE meetup event and the speaker emphasized treating real estate investments as cold, number-driven investments and actually suggested buying properties physically far away from the investor is one way to control for this to ensure that investment decisions are made dispassionately.

I also went to college, not that it is mandatory, and I got a business degree that emphasized real estate.