@Will Barnard  the reality is this is just nothing money the dollars are so small.I have never kept an EM deposit even though sometimes I wanted to just creates too much bad blood... heck a few grand to me is not going ot change my life style and if I beat it out of some shmuck .. like its apparent these Texas wholesalers do well just shame on them.Now if we were talking about a major project or bigger money with bigger players then that may be something different. .However like when I have flipped plats to DR Horton and other builders..

A lot of high income earners take their excess cash and invest it in RE for passive income so they can sustain their lifestyle long after their high paying career is over.

It is because of your personal sacrifice that we are all able to enjoy the lifestyles and freedoms we do. 

I'm 33 and have now resigned as a teacher because I was unhappy having my time and lifestyle dictated by a school system, so I'm ready to do whatever it takes to make a change. 

Leaving no room for any changes in lifestyle.

Sounds like you are setting up for the perfect "snowbird" lifestyle!

This can certainly be done, but pretending that it doesn't eat into your lifestyle or utility is ridiculous to me.  

I started like you a couple years ago, if you have no money at all, while you adjust your life style to raise a starting capital, you have the biggest commodity on your side; "TIME".

Kai, this is a lifestyle question disguised as an investment dilemma.  

Everyone moved here at some point for a reason, so don't blame others for realizing the great lifestyle Portland affords and wanting to experience that for themselves.