Two years later, many other aspects of life are under control, and we are finally ready mentally to strike out again, much more intensely this time.I believe our debt, in the form of student loans, is one big hurdle to cross, as is the fact that we have almost no professional network in the area.

I also joined the local "meet up" real estate groups and have been a great place to start networking with contractors and RE agents, etc. who have an investor mentality as well.

With regards to your 2nd Question about area, If I understand you correctly you don’t have issue with credit or funding only I guess, startup capital and that might be your mental barrier to investing in your area.

I have read and read and read trying to find the right road but finding only a mental dead end.

I spent an 30 minutes staring blankly at my computer screen, trying to mentally refer back to what I had read in Brandon's book "The Book on No & Low Money Down Real Estate Investing". 

I was never taught anything about money, so I've always had a 'pay bills, spend the rest' mentality.

But part way through the due diligence I was informed that they are all apart of the Excel program, which is house for people with mental disabilities.

Saving up to invest when financially and mentally ready, but the more I dig into the real estate world and the more I get overwhelmed!

That mentality will take you far.

You have come to a great place to learn about investing in real estate and there are a lot of knowledgable folks with an abundance mentality ready to help you out.