Our household income is currently $320k pre-tax, but I might be getting a new job soon, which could bump our income to around $380-400k pre-tax.Initially, we planned to buy a property and convert it into a duplex, but with houses in our area starting at $650k, we've started considering a different approach.

Again I'm just exploring my options as this is my hard earned money that I'm spending and I'm not an iron fist person but like to be "fair" and "punctual" with any business.

If the appraisal comes in as suburban, you will be able to bump up the leverage to 80% LTV. 

There were struggles cleaning up books, bumping up rents, chasing down tenants, building processes, etc.

Can you handle that bump?

About a month ago we started contacting property management companies to help us get the rental part moving, but this is where we've hit a road bump.

Fear of a market crash, fear of negative cash flow, fear of humiliation by one's family "we told you it was a bad idea"The reality is, you'll hit some bumps in the road, but it is very hard to really screw up BIG with REI as long as you buy quality assets and don't completely fail at managing the property i.e. too lazy to fill vacancies..Ironically it is that fear that will make you buy a cheap property instead of a good one, because you "feel" that a lower price will curb your risk.And fear will make you accept a marginally qualified tenant because you are worried there won't be a better one next week.

Going to bump this  - just started looking into Smartland and looking for any one who has worked with them.

. $5,500 is quite a lot so I'm trying to review as many legitimate reviews and testimonials as I can to make sure that it makes sense for me and my situation.I know that I learn and apply myself best when I'm given straightforward instructions, a guide, clear direction, and skin in the game.I'll bump this up to see if there have been any new updates or developments in regards to the Wholesaling Inc program

Overall you will be fine, but expect some bumps in the road, it always happens.