Or should I aim for whichever position that will provide a quicker path to a higher salary, therefore allowing me to actually invest in projects?

Got the termite treatment done with some help, carpets removed, bathroom demoed, measured for windows and doors, working on putting a complete bid package together for Home Depot (If you spend more than $1500, you can request them to give you a bid price which is usually a bit cheaper). 

The current minimum deposit in my country is 20%, but with 5 of us, we would aim to put down as much as possible on the initial deposit.

Also, take photos of the house, measure the square footage,and send this  to all the guys interested in the job. 

See a cap rate is NOT a return but the measure of what a market is paying for NOI.

This next time around I want to be more measured in my approach and do investing in a systematic and reasoned approach.

Many Parks only want owner occupants.For your first home you should aim to get the home into basic habitable condition.  

I'm finding the things I'm learning are helpful beyond measure as well.

The difference perhaps is that I am a businessman and I realize the costs of being compliant and legal are worth the cost when measured against the potential risks as opposed to pretending the risk does not exist.

I won't buy a bad deal just to hit my goal, the numbers have to work, but this keeps me searching, and gives me a target to aim at.