I've been studying as much as I can in my very limited free time( I work 18hrs/day on average).

I will definitely try to learn as much as I can. In

I would love to talk with anyone investing in Detroit and try to help out any way I can in exchange.  

Meet and get to know everyone you can in your area, It will be intimidating but well worth it.  

When an industry is unregulated, it breeds problems and people getting taken advantage of, so that's why people don't like it.  

For instance, if i do this i would plan to hit the ground running and would be working full time at it, would constantly be networking for customers at auctions, seminars, and so forth, and i would be looking to learn as much as i can in as little time as possible.

Check craigslist etc.. learn the property values in your area and start today putting whatever you can in savings.

(For that matter and in reality, how many of the various Ohio laws - both real estate related and not real estate related - are adjudicated around the state can - in effect -be dramatically different.  

I have a bully breed type dog that will make renting very prohibitive, especially if I need a month to month lease. 

Also, the high dollar deals don't seem to attract the buyers willing to work those super tight deals like you can in the 3-600k range.