That sounds strange, but you have nothing holding you back from venturing out of your security...because you have lost that security blanket that was your job.I would venture to say, that most of the success stories in history, started out where you are right now...me included.So, with nothing holding you back, and with plenty of time on your hands (time will always be your greatest asset...since you can never get it back), if you want to get into REI, you need to do the following:1 - Learn,2 - Learn some more,3 - Keep learning.Places to learn (before you say "that costs money"), that don't cost any money are:1 - Online education sites that have free articles written by experts in their fields.2 - Free e-books, that you can get online.3 - Joining your local REIC's to both learn and network.4 - ...and never stop learning...even when you become a success at this (and you will)Also, three very critical actions you MUST follow to be a success:1 - Always think possitive.2 - Train yourself to think of future "obstacles" as temporary problems...and you are the problem solver. 

coral springs is VERY specific on what you must do to your property. 

We were told that there are First-Time Homebuyers grants right now that give you about 30k to purchase but you must live in that house for at least 5 years.

I was attempting to discern if the agent must be a buyer on the contract and must also have a contract, as a buyer, with the reverse wholesaler. 

(Would love to hear some feedback and advice)3- I live about 45 minutes from this property and wonder how much a landlord must actually be by the property.

Regarding your question about refinancing and cashing out the equity in the home, the Fannie Mae guideline states:“The property must have been purchased (or acquired) by the borrower at least six months prior to the disbursement date of the new mortgage loan except for the following...”The exemptions to this rule being if the property was purchased with all cash and qualified under the delayed financing rule, or if the borrower acquired the property through some form of inheritance (Divorce, etc).

Did you know....As of Jan 1st - the Gov't has forced on ALL lenders/banks in Canada - when approving a Borrower, they must pass a stress test at a Higher Int Rate (2% higher than approved) before getting the $$.

They see a 40-year-old woman driving a Lexus and wearing nice clothes and assume she must be rich.

Refinance the FHA property into a conventional loan to get rid of the mortgage insurance if the rates are still favorable and you've got enough equity in year three and buy another one with 3.5% down using FHA (again, you must live in it for at least a year). 

To declare yourself a secured lender you must also have a mortgage or DOT.I know there are lenders who ask their borrowers to pre-sign a DIL, but they will also require a mortgage or DOT.