I am wanting to be able to stop working full time sooner than later as I would like to be able to spend more time with my family and enjoy life. 

You cannot cherry pick a lender its not that easy you have to be more involved as a Banker or Loan officer.If you are not a lender my first thought was how welll versed are your point of contacts to assist a borrower unless its done through your software.

Spend time driving for dollars in Tacoma neighborhoods to identify distressed properties.

My goal is to have financial freedom so I can eventually quit my 9-5 job and use my time to spend with family and do things that excite me.

Apply for a dimensional variance on the vacant lot to allow a smaller lot and/or setback so it can be built upon.Your best first steps are to sketch a plan, possibly with an engineer's help, then contact the zoning department to discuss your idea with them to get informal feedback on your liklihood of success before you spend a lot of money.

Looking at an upcoming partnership in 2025 and looking to tap into some of my primary homes equity to assist with the down payment.

One last question - is your assistant actually hand writing the envelop?

But I get it in the lower value assets of the mid west and rust belt cities wholesalers dominate because they spend 100s of thousands in marketing for those type of assets..

If I did, I'd find a place I really like to visit and be prepared to spend a lot of time there making connections.  

I would spend time building your list of WHO (agent, mentor, contractor/handyman), then WHAT (house type, tenant base, work needed), then WHERE (location).