This does put all of my eggs into one basket (Real Estate), but it could be the best way to learn.I would really appreciate any and all advice I can get here from experienced (and maybe even local investors) to help me make the best decision on how to proceed.

Absentee owners lists are the new low hanging fruit and thus the most promoted so most investors and wholesalers go after it to find deals. 

My direct mail campaigns have been the most fruitful for me.

IE they have no real financial commitment to the deal other than the 10 dollar EM and then they try to flip it.. by advertising to the public..I have to assume your business is not going into contract for next to nothing then plastering the deal all over the internet and craigs list hoping for a sale and if you don't get one you walk because you only lots 10 dollars or a hundred dollars etc.I know this is not your deal as in CA even the low hanging fruit will not generally let people tie up property for such ridiculously low amounts.I for one am really happy to see the banks and Hud now request 10% EM to buy their property I funded 3 this week 12k on one 8 k another another 9k... for my folks.average no money wholesaler is not going to be able to play or if they do they won't be able to tie up many ..I wish more sellers would understand this and require CA like EM deposits.Indeed my business is not going into contract and then doing email blasts to market the property.  

If you can stay the path, you absolutely will see the fruits of your labor.

Don't put all of your eggs in one basket and don't get stuck with a property or a deal that you'll regret. 

Keep it in good enough condition to allow me to see the true fruits of the investment when it’s been paid off in 15, 20 or 30 years.

The point is, you  can't put all your eggs in a basket so you need to be doing more than direct mail. 

The easy, low hanging fruit.  

I considered that house to no longer be "low hanging fruit".