I'm guessing from your post that you're not suited for that so my personal opinion is that you counter with something that suits your style or you walk from the deal.

Each of them kept their life style in pauper status to attain their long term goals.

I cannot buy the door style any more and it would look awful to have unmatched doors.

They are all small sturdy brick ranch style buildings, mostly renovated and need maybe 10k max in additional renovations.

We are very conservative in our life style so our risk is low. 

Great taste and style!

Another one sold 2 years ago in a week at $300k but the home was completely gutted and even the front facia was changed architecturally to look completely different (in my opinion hideous), but same rancher style and builder as ours.

Keep it within one mile or less and try to get similar style and condition.

I'm ready to stop investing a high percentage of my W-2 salary into the ol' 401k and begin investing into a new facet...I work for an aerospace engineering company, am in my early 30's, very detail oriented, and have been doing research for a while now looking to learn about purchasing real estate for either holding, fixer-up then rent, flip, or building new single or multi-family residences.

They have good training programs, good company culture, good orientation to help you grow beyond being just an agent, and when you start completing a lot of sales, they are a smart financial choice.