I am speaking to you from experience 20 properties later, yes it is ok sometimes to overpay but once you are established and have a decent sized portfolio which could balance out any potential pitfalls.

I understand fast solutions have slow problems.If I'm myself, I continue to lean into REI via BRRRs in growing areas of buying established but undervalue in very good areas to keep it a growing % of my portfolio.

The risk in lifting these houses is there's not a clearly established market for flood damaged homes that have been elevated.

We need to establish a contract (or shop around for reputable companies that are willing to do this).

Sometimes these types of deals require that you purchase a software to help search for lots,so we'll see.Most of the time,established people in industry are not going to come online and scam people,why would they ruin their own business in the offline arena?

Now it’s probably the Midwest,But my the time you get to the Midwest and establish a footprint and “street credibility” with the brokers and sellers another market may be strong.If you are going to invest out of area, you will need to spend “face to face” “boots on the ground time” there.

Add a very diversified economy here with banking, insurance, oil and gas, education, three medical schools, 3 law schools, life sciences, DFW airport, and so much more, it looks like the growth just goes on and on.As far as appreciation goes, that's always tough to predict. 

Also father/son dynamics at an age where the son is trying to establish his independence is trying on both of us.I did not push son in direction of RE, he considered various options and chose RE. 

I’m hoping to establish a reliable stream of unearned income through real estate investments, but I’m new to the field and looking for guidance.I have around $35,000 saved (excluding stock investments) and would love to connect with someone who can help me navigate this world.

Think about the extra income you need on top of that to pay for retirement(if it's just quitting work early),  medical bills, and unexpected expenses.