I will really start concentrating on that while still continuing to look at the MLS.

Concentrate on education for now while saving money.

But at the end of the day many times I thought if I just concentrated on listings only and spent as much time and money and effort on those.

I have been in the Construction Industry for 20 years with a concentration on Estimating the past 12 years.

Those are ambitious plans but it sounds like you have some focus.If it were me, I would concentrate initially on paying down your own debt while you continue to learn about the real estate market.

We are staying in the Atlantic Beach area, which I understand is where the Black Bike Fest is concentrated due to the black history of the area.

Scott says, and concentrate your investments there.A portfolio lender is a community bank. 

Lenders will look at the concentration of your properties in a commercial loan as well, but the reserve requirement tapers off because if you have experience they know the loss of all rents at the same time is unlikely.

Problem : Extreme crime rateAdv: Cashflows can be great if done right.So what do you guys suggest as to the areas that I should be concentrating if I need to stay out of war zones, yet hv a phenominal cash flow (may be some appreciation) ?

What you need to do is concentrate on making sure they never pay late again.