I don't think you really want to work for nothing.With this in mind, I suggest you put your equity to more productive use. 

@Wayne Brooks  this is one of the better open mouth insert foot posts i have seen in a while.for some reason @Mindy Jensen  the mods are allowing many of the multi guys to make these posts that are really just trolling for investor buyers.. but maybe its just me.. you know how sensitive i can be..

With that in mind I am wondering if my lease is still valid for renewing on a year to year basis after informing my landlord with a +30 day notice that my current roommate is moving out, but that I would like to continue to live here and have a roommate in mind.

Also reading some of Mindy Jensens blogs around live-in flipping is inspiring. 

Thanks for the reply @Mindy Jensen.  

It is very important to start with the end in mind. IE

My short term goal is to save up $100k to have some capital to work with and piece of mind. I

With that in  mind,  I am looking  to build relationships to enable me to become a  successful long distance real estate investor starting with the my first deal.

@Mindi Rosser This is one area I really know well.

Mindy Jensen contacted me to be a guest and she though my story would be motivational for others that ONLY made $80,000 combined family income, living in a pricey area like San Diego  I had 10 rental properties in San Diego that were cash flowing about $50,000 a year on 25% down payments and traded them all in when they doubled in value for Apartment complexes in NE Ohio.