Someone making 30k a year is not going to respond positively to a goal of 30k a month, it would just feel impossible distant and self defeating. 10k is a psychological leap already!

Right now i am trying to get the nerve to approach some distant family about a subject to contract on their home in Reisterstown, MD.  

with holidays and New Year's, along with kids being home or relatives dropping in and out, selling property isn't on the top of most peoples' minds.as for wholesaling in distant parts of the county, that is easily done if you have a trusted source on the ground.  

If you get one now, you will be nearly certain to have a big increase in the not-so-distant future.Interest rate low and probably going up - fixed rateInterest rate high and probably going down - MAYBE an ARM

If you have borrowed money at a high interest rate (perhaps with a balloon payoff in the not-too-distant future), you need to attack this thing VERY differently than if you are buying it with a cheap conventional loan and you'll be living in it.In either case, be disciplined about your scope. 

If you choose to invest in a market distant from your own it may be very advisable to find a trustworthy local partner or property manager who can help you monitor your investments, at least until you become expert in that market yourself.

I am also opening myself to the option of buy and hold SFH’s in a distant market (with a property manager) where the costs are ½ what they are near me, and they offer better opportunities for cash flow.

And the question remains with the distant future plans I have, is it best to refi the total balance to pay back the current loan, or refi less and make up the difference with personal Funds.  

As far as the "10% lease option fee" goes, I have a long list of tenant/buyers chomping at the bit for the opportunity to live in a nice home and purchase it at a fixed price in the not to distant future.

Hope fully here in the not too distant future one of those will be mine.I'm currently making my way through the beginner's guide here on BP and am slowly exploring the site.