Based on the guidelines, I am not allowed to ask for a mentor, loans, etc, so I hope the wording doesn't strike anyone that way.

This one strikes me as needing to be in the Starting Out area....

Using your houses to buy more houses is how you strike it big :)  So, why the debt-free route?

I am not looking to maximize my returns or strike it big.

The financial  side is the derivative of the value of the asset, or the economic benefit, the real side is simply a business decision as to execute the option to purchase or not, for example, the value goes down below the strike or purchase price, the real side is most likely to decline to purchase.

Take 7 days, find something that strikes you and act.Let us know what you are thinking.  

This is pointed out at least weekly on BP, agents and wholesaling, might do some searching in the wholesale threads before you strike off.

Sometimes when you swing for the fence you strike out instead.  

I do things this way to "strike while the iron's hot", minimize the back and forth, and get the deal sealed asap.

Funny timing too--my wife had one of the morning news shows on today as we were getting the kids ready and they played a clip of cell phone video of Grant Cardone talking about his experience being on a plane that had an engine go out due to a bird strike.