Line up 3 notaries who are comfortable with closing wholesale transactions.5.  

You want to significantly upgrade your personal housing situation.To the extent that these conflict, you have to find the balance point that makes you the most comfortable.

I am just starting to learn what is comfortable for me.  

Are you comfortable with borrowing from someone you know, as long as it makes the most financial sense?

I'm def not comfortable doing a major rehab at this point.At any rate, I think I'm getting in over my head here.

That wholly depends on the transaction and your comfort level with the situation/seller.

You can do it yourself but if you are not comfortable i understand. 

I've just begun looking into Syracuse because I'm not at the point where I feel comfortable with out-of-state investing, but this thread may lead me further in that direction.

It's comforting to see some other smaller town Illinois property owners.

I'm aware that there are many different ways to approach long term holds, so I'm not slamming your basic approach -- although it's not one that I would be comfortable with (or be able to afford, lol!).