Who says, “Don’t worry if you don’t have any money, skills, or experience—you just need to grind!”

Lately, I’ve been thinking less about finding “the perfect deal” and more about building the right skill set to thrive no matter what the market throws at us.Here’s why:Interest rates are still unpredictable.Inventory is rising in some markets, tightening in others.Distressed properties are popping up — but not everywhere.It feels like we’re entering a phase where the investors who succeed aren’t just the ones who find opportunities — it’s those who know how to create them.That might mean:Getting creative with financing structuresUnderstanding local zoning and tax strategies better than everBuilding relationships to uncover off-market leadsKnowing how to manage risk when a property has multiple challengesThe more I talk to experienced investors, the more I hear the same thing: the ones who are thriving right now are less dependent on the “perfect market conditions” and more focused on adapting their playbook.I’m curious — do you think we’re in a time where skills matter more than deals, or are the fundamentals of location and timing still king?

A few thoughts:Cash flow first: Ensure the numbers work before worrying about aesthetics.

It requires a lot of attention to detail and organizational skills.

I'd like to expand to more properties so that I can establish a worthwhile management system (cleaning, turnovers, professional listing photos, aesthetic furnishing, etc) 

Even though I’ve expressed my investing goals, the houses he shows me are more about aesthetic features like nice countertops rather than actual investment properties that fit my criteria.

The Helping Hand apprenticeship program sounds like such a meaningful way to give back while teaching real skills.

If I were to start over, I’d focus on working with a company and building my active income, ideally in real estate so the skills overlap.

AI can absolutely replace their "skills".  

With your operations and strategy background, you’re set up to thrive in real estate, those skills translate perfectly to managing deals, teams, and long-term growth.