Now that I am back in the area, I want to aggressively start acquiring properties, I have a good amount of capital, a positive outlook and a hard working mentality.

Nothing yet but I am mentally preparing for it.

If you can understand that mentality, the gap between the 1% and the 99%, which would you choose?

That is because the herd mentality affects most people and you have instinct to run when the market is down.

If I was in this situation, I would perform a mental opportunity cost analysis. 

Nothing wrong with that - BUT, society has determined that in doing so they may be taking advantage of people who fall into the unknowledgeable, mentally impaired, or incompetent category (no one wants their 90 year old parents taken advantage of ).  

Poverty is a mental condition.

i dont care if i am rich. i just want to be financially stable. at the point where money rules your life, your priorites are messed up

I also have a two-fold mentality, and would love to connect! 

A lot goes into the decision, just prioritize experience, training over split. good luck!