Now I just have to trim the fat here, and cut this out over there, and save as much as I can, and scrimp and save, and cut out all the creature comforts and after like 10 years, I can retire! 

I like this saying:"Pigs get fat, Hogs get slaughtered"  

Do you have any wealthy family or friends that have a big fat bank account that you could "borrow" their bank statement as proof of funds, then put it under contract and wholesale it?

@Brie Schmidt I agree with @Steve Vaughan theory of trimming the fat.

You can gain equity but you want to outpace inflation.Many buy in these areas and others for the appreciation more than the cash flow.If I just keep up with inflation I feel like I am just spinning my wheels.The 50k houses in Atlanta the investors were probably sold a bill of goods.We have properties here that sell for 4k to 6k in the war zone areas.The nice properties in great areas are gone in a day or two.These companies then out in a tiny amount of money and resell for a fat profit to out of town investors.Home buyers to live in your area will pay a premium.Have a broker/agent research the MLS.Has there been any solds within the last year even close to the price you would need??

If you choose sugary, fatty junk food, you're gonna get fat, but we never blame the store for fat people.

Yes, you might see a nice fat 2% Rule property, but what does that mean if vacancy is 15%; or turnover costs are twice what a B property would be; or if property managers charge 12% instead of 8% because your building is so difficult to manage. 

There will be double the closing costs, but if your margin is fat that won't matter much.

Investors when deals are fat want to hoard deals.

My deals are pretty fat on the profit side so I dont mind 12% which I have paid to lendinghome for a project last year...but I always strive to find better and better opportunities to increase margins..