I personally feel this would is the best method for me, to start out with at least.

My friends told me I should join for years now and am finally listening to podcasts, reading blog posts, and now stepping into the forums.

Those are good steps, it is much harder for them to argue against pictures and an invoice from an independent third party. 

What should be my next step?

Small homebuilders building spec homes normally use the completed contract method.

@Paul Daniels those are the two methods most often used, but if you do not want to go conventional or hard money, you would either have to go with private financing, or using some personal lines of credit you may have.

Sounds like you've already took some great steps towards building your financial wealth.

I have been vigorously saving and investing my income to prepare for this next step.

Ping me in your post and I'll take you to the next step.

I believe DIG would be more than happy to resurrect that subgroup, but in order to do so a volunteer first needs to step up to be the subgroup leader.