BiggerPockets is full of resources designed to help you along your journey, whether you are just getting started or a seasoned investor.

Attorney retainer fee will probably start at $10k.Would it be worth it?

I think it will be important to buy in areas that are just starting to sprawl.

With a 30-year amort and 10-year IO options - as well as ability to get rate down quite a bit if you have long-term horizon (5+ years so don't mind prepay) - the rates/terms and monthly payment will likely be very attractive.Others too have done the DSCR Portfolio Loan (Blanket Loan) refinance option too (refinanced the 10 properties that are under conventional into one blanket DSCR Loan and start the process back from 0 on conventional), however, given current rates, don't see it a lot currently since the refinance would typically mean racheting up interest on those

Damon is just starting something now and I would suggest following his Facebook page "Tax Liens & Deeds and Beyond".  

Why wouldn’t you start with food control?

Over the last several years casinos have went up, Ford Field (Lions) and Comerica Park (Tigers) were erected and people who loved the city began brainstorming how to revive it.More recently, Little Ceaser's Arena (new home of Pistons and Red Wings) construction started and is due to open Sept this year.

Also, most of the stuff your list is low cost which is great, but once you start getting the deals and paying yourself back on the direct mail, double and triple those actions too (of course when you to a place financially that you can do that effectively).  

So I started fixing it up a little.

FHA & VA allow for a "Change in circumstance" for example you are moving, changing jobs requiring new location, new school, enlisted military, divorce, other life circumstance outside of your control.As far a penalty due to no intention as using from the start of the application.