The goal right now is to learn the fundamentals, understand valuation methodology and then jump right into the deep end and navigate my way around. 

If you find yourself priced out of a particular market so you are focusing on areas where you can still acquire assets that meet your # 1 fundamental for investing (yours appears to be cash flow) then acquiring KC assets on that basis is prudent for you.  

Had you been studying real estate fundamentals and dissecting potential strategies with mentors for a while before leaving the W2?  

As long as the fundamentals work from a rental property perspective, I still think this is a great time to buy, though not as good as the years prior.

AND if you think some sort of change could be realistically implemented.HI Scott,I was a computer science major turned finance as I found my calling but still an engineer at heart.The problem is in school they only teach the fundamentals of finance and theory (time value of money, real rate of return, cap rates, arbitrage, velocity of return, options, stocks, derivatives, and etc).

When you look at market cycles and fundamentals, it would appear that we will continue to see an increase in pricing for 5-8 years.

It can only be paid off in less than one year IF income exceeds expenses by at least $1K (10 months X $1K = $10K)Although it is true that $10K in principle payments was in effect transferred from the HELOC to the primary mortgage, that is not a fundamental point of the analysis.

After attending a local 3 day seminar presented by a national company, gaining a fundamental understanding investing, I now know that I am ready to test the waters!  

One of the fundamental rules to all investing is, "are you going to make a profit and can you support the deal until you do?"

@David Burton I'm not sure what is meant in your comment about an "optional contract", but your lawyer should understand the use of a straight purchase option contract.Perhaps his objection to the use of a modified P&S contract is that it is fundamentally a bilateral agreement (i.e., both parties are required to perform).A straight purchase option contract, however, is specifically designed to be a unilateral agreement (i.e., only one party -- in this case the seller -- is required to perform).