Just doing does not align with replacing my income long-term. 

I scout wholesale deals for him, MLS, Costar and he gets the benefit of my expertise of twenty years and that our goals are aligned.

Are your priorities(in order) and your daily actions aligned and where can you improve?

My best advice, if you are doing this for investment purposes, align yourself with a "commercial" broker in your area.

Most people never go from "general REII education and excitement" to honing in on the neighborhood and understanding it inside and out and how it aligns with their personal goals.  

Each one has its own numbers and things to watch out for.Which strategy aligns most with your long term goals I would pick that!

Do the assessed Values in Maryland align with the price of houses? 

Wherever you go you'll need an advocate on site whose interests are aligned with yours; someone with some of their own skin in the game.

I just recently refi-ed and was surprised at the equity I pulled out, so it may be in alignment.  

Because ever since I started listening to BiggerPockets, I've been hooked into this industry, and I can't think of a better way to align my professional and personal interests than to reach out to the very people in this forum who share my passion.So, I have a small favor to ask.