However, I went with the owner occupied list because I've heard many professional wholesalers and investors promote it as just as fruitful as their absentee lists.

The easy, low hanging fruit.  

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

Your budget looks healthy enough to produce fruit, but without knowing any of the specifics, I really can't comment.

And while @Michael Quarles is correct in that direct mail is only one source of great leads, it is...IMHO...the lowest hanging fruit, where you will get the most bang for your buck.He also speaks of key follow up systems including text, chat and email (like Calltext.com). 

From what I have read here and what I am starting to understand is that as your marketing budget increases (number of units mailed increases) the more one goes for the lower hanging fruit.

Basically, I'm just using the blunt ax approach, i.e. raw storage with a few categories.

That versus taking raw land and you have what the developer wants to build, what the tenant or tenants want, what the city or county wants, and what the public wants.

You will succeed and have a plenty fruitful investing business with only consistency and systematic processes, not by denying yourself a house to play, dream, create, make love, and cultivate ritualistic health and safety.

Farm - A farm is not fruit and vegetables.