If you ever read the side of a Heinz Ketchup bottle, it reads "Do a common thing, uncommonly well".

You will require many properties to completely replace your income, which could become a new full-time job to manage.

Considering some SFR properties in Cahokia / Cahokia Heights, Illinois and looking for some recommendations on inpsectors in this area that do a good job looking at multiple properties

When you have excessive and the only common denominator is the management team it is management that is the issue.

If your student loans are only 3-5% interest, that's pretty good so I think it's okay to pay those off over time.It sounds like you're making good income with your current employer and there is room to grow, so I'd plan to stay with that job until you can pay your high interest loans off and save enough for a down payment for your first property.

I want to scale, but not sure how to develop my strategy.I have a $200k HELOC and excellent credit worthiness and high income from my day job.

Even tough, I am in information overload right now and working a full-time job at night.

License plate reader did its job.  

We do have a long term strategy, we are ready for the uphill fight for common sense and justice. 

That would be what I would profit on a build job, then the interest and closing costs and such would be paid by the person hiring me.