Fortunately my area is affordable enough I can afford to eat a bad deal or two, but I do try and figure out at least 3 seperate exits before I even think about putting in an offer.

My problem is that I've overwhelmed myself, there's so much to do and it feels like trying to eat an elephant with one bite.

Fat margins = here sure have this cookie (institution proceeds to eat an entire cake).

Purchase price: $55,000 Cash invested: $55,698 Nice and clean 4 bedroom 1 bath 1193 square foot home with hardwood floors, remodeled bathroom, eat in kitchen lovely finished basement in nice neighborhood and close to hospital.

Locking up all that money just to have 'space' will eat at you once you start buying more.

I always thought this was a dog eat dog industry!

I have one terrible vice that eats cash like crazy and I will never retire while I'm healthy.I have a rental. 

As Andy points out above, you could end up holding the note for far longer than you anticipated and that interest will eat you alive. 

Or eat at some good places? 

Let that be a lesson to me and I guess I'll just have to eat that one.