I consider myself lucky as I have a very good job as a Superintendent for a high rise residential builder in the Vancouver area.

What a job! 

Also, are there any scheduled meets on the weekends in the Orange county area ?

I just spent an entire day working with individual contractors and picking up supplies, and this is getting harder to do with increasing job responsibilities and planning for a baby next year.

The minute the property pops on the market I am scheduling a showing and drafting a contract so that seller sees my buyer has been waiting for a deal and is desperate to close with escrow and contract within first few days property is on the market.

Wherever you're choosing to invest, connect with an agent and have them send you listings so you can get a feel for what is out there and what properties are selling for, both rehabbed and fixer-uppers.Do you have a job?

It was just my wife and I for most of it, and I don't think I'd try to do it again (doing all the work myself while working a full-time job and a part-time job) even with just the two of us.

I've got excellent credit at the moment and a job with six figure income (however much lower after taxes/student loans/primary mortgage), would this help gain what I want with a lender?

@Arpan Patel  can it happen maybe will it happen for 99% of those who REALLY only have 1k in their checking account or less NO WAY NO how.. the best bet for those folks is find a job.. and if real estate is what they want to do then bird dog... or get a license and do leasing.. that works.

My kids can do as good job of raking leaves, taking out the trash, and cleaning the bathroom.