Weight is about 183 so want to shed off about the last 15 to 20 pounds left of fat.

Those two things will act as a slingshot in your investing career.Start pounding the pavement & calling FSBO's or places that advertise that they're for rent & begin weeding through those to see if there are any burnt out landlords or estate sales that would be willing to owner finance.

I really hope it works out for you, and if it does you should come back on here and tell us all to pound sand :)  If it doesn't, however, you should also come back here and ask what's the best way to prepare crow!

If you've encountered unwanted sexual attention from male investors you've met at meetups, or contractors have ever called you "honey," or you've been told you're "too emotional to be a good landlord," or have encountered any other gender-specific issue in your real estate career and you feel you need the support of other men, go for it. 

Even if you are in an area where people don't care, it will still call attention which will be unwanted by your assailant.

I saw it getting absolutely pounded the last down cycle.

And if that is not for you, nothing wrong with pounding nails either!

I saw multifamily get pounded in the last down cycle.

He was able to get the documents notarized so that we could complete the mortgage requirements and finalize the transactions.We had more income while overseas: the overseas housing allowance for living off base gave us an adjustment between the dollar and pound. 

I'd stand in the middle of the float in a Santa suit with a police megaphone and have four big old boys in elf costumes pounding the crap out of bass drums on the corners.