If you ever want to connect and trade thoughts on your goals, I'd love to do that. 

., you will come out on top just take a bit longer so you need to underwrite that in mind.If the former, I would do a combination of fixed income, private lending, and note buying and trade the arb.

maybe you and your husband can trade off making trips there to build a network in person? 

I like that, unlike with say trading for a hedge fund, I can create opportunities for others rather than solely line the pockets of someone richer (that being said I still intend to make money).

I also have a $50k line of credit I can tap into when needed that will grow as I keep growing the business.Right now my rent is about $1700 where I've been staying for over a year, but really wanting to trade that for a mortgage and start building that equity.

And RE at least at the bP level was being traded with cash only.. thats why so many that started in 2010 to 2012 got smokin deals. 

New construction requirements are for the sole purpose of keeping the trades working, elec, plumbing, mech, siding.

You may see if you have one in your area that you could trade your property into something nicer. 

I want a specialist that's an expert, and not a jack of all trades and master of none.

The maximum leverage I have ever seen in trading accounts is 50%, and that's very limited and select.