I never liked the business side of investing in real estate, not the inner workings; but the way people worked hard to do it different instead of right.

The passion for me was, is, and will likely always be the "solutions" when it comes to the construction, repair, design, build, management, and even physical aspects of interacting with the actual property. The numbers and the paperwork aren't exciting. "Can I make some money off this, and do it right?" if the answer is no then I pass. Those two things have to both be in a deal or its not a deal. I dont' want to explain to anyone now, or ever, why I didn't do something correctly in order to gain more for myself- by taking from someone else w/out their consent. This method, honestly, has worked better with trades than with those hiring trades. Its always been odd, even after not being one, how little people respected the value in a good, honest, tradesman. The effort it takes to find these people is far greater than most spend on locating property; yet a lot of people treat trades as temporary instead of working on establishing a team.
However- The cliche of bad trades is the same as the cliche of bad investors/mentors/contractors/building inspectors. Sure, there are "bad" at everything. But we (including myself) sometimes forget to calculate the big picture and the perspective of others. If every "investor" who ever calls a plumber is entitled or bossy, or even over promising then eventually they will naturally cringe and move away from anyone who makes a claim to be one. "I dont' work for investors" is a common phrase I hear from a lot of trades, yet within a few words I have them giving me their email so they can review the scope of work and budget for my project to see if he wants to do it...I just gave perspective. "I am not a novice investor. I started as a handy-man and worked up to being a GC, saved enough money to buy deals and hire myself to fix them; and avoid investors. I need the best to be the best. Lets at least see if you appreciate the bid package can email you." It doesn't always work- But it almost always does. (note- I once got my feelings hurt a trade wouldn't work with me. Later found out he was screwing people and that is probably why he didn't want to work with me; I’d figure it out by him showing his truth.)
The point is; I love adding value to property and making a profit from it. I like that it allows me to give money to trades that are good people doing good work. I like that I get to hire a realtor and pay them a bit more because they walked the deal once a week during the rehab so they knew what was up when it came time to miss a social function in order to sell it.

I don't expect people to be honest, hard working, and professional AND give me a discount. However, I don't just "make it rain" either. Its about balance and being fair. Most people spend no time thinking about what that means for others, and doing so has always proven to be the most rewarding; in the purchasing of a property, hiring a trade, selling a development project to a group of investors, etc. Tons of people aren't great at communicating their needs/wants/intentions; but are still honest. Spending a bit of extra effort to know their view makes a mutual respect much easier to obtain; and honesty keeps it growing into a team of pro's who all work hard at trying to benefit everyone else knowing they are all doing the same.