If you really don't want to spend a lot of money, maybe just go out there with a laser level at dusk and shoot lines at 1' increments.

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521/topics/1079768-ugly-sweater-holiday-re-investors-meetup-and-toy-drive

I speak with people all the time that have researched and toyed with the idea of investing for years.

I'm an active agent again, and am laser-focused on making the investment side work -- hoping to start with a good flip project. 

Do any of you knows a good lawyer in the area that can help me, Even a remote laser willing to help with tenants in that area?

I have also been toying with the idea of buying a place and renting out the finished basement or bedrooms while living on the property, or buying a property just to rent out, maybe on a room by room basis to students. 

People get in trouble when they use credit cards to buy their toys.... don’t make that mistake.

So how do you do all of that while keeping a laser focus on the real estate market?  

In my current situation, We've realizing that we most likely won't be moving back any time soon and I'm toying with the idea of using the property as an on-going rental investment.

Think about how much less attractive it is to take a HELOC to buy anything today than it was a year ago - be it investments or toys.