I’ve done several deals and have made a lot more money than I expected.

If you haven't, deals will start presenting themselves in the next twelve months.Gino 

If you don’t feel right you just bail and lose your earnest deposit, dine deal. 

The other option, however, is that I can live more or less for free for the rest of the year between a few family members and friends and save that bit of extra cash towards the purchase.The extra cash could either help me jump on a deal sooner or it could be a buffer/money for potential renovation when I move in.

Maybe try working with an agent who has access to off-market and wholesale deals that you can get for below market value and do a quick rehab.

I'm specifically interested in learning how to land a pre-foreclosure deal, but I think I need a structured system for educating myself and have a teacher/mentor for support and to hold me accountable during the process.

Also you need to ( to get the best deals ) be cash.  

This site has long been a good resource for finding lenders by posting your hard to fund deals on the forum and allowing interested lenders to respond.

Not sure yet what the pitch will be at the end of the 3-day event but Phill has done 1000s of deals and has direction for every possible scenario. 

MD What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?