Just wait till one is closed before starting the next process (doesn't mean you can't start shopping for both, just don't try to process the mortgages and closings at the same time).For the property at your home town area where you are wanting to invest I would suggest looking at HUD or VA foreclosures as both provide mortgage opportunities for investors that don't plan on living in the property. 

Happy to meet at a coffee shop if anyone is local.Any help is appreciated.

Shop around with the hard money people. 

I would suggest just shopping around and calling as many as needed to see what they offer.

it is a great place to shop and eat out. 

If is not single tenant net, then you will want to analyze the sounding businesses and the overall health of the shopping center itself.

Sundays is the only time I have to drive an hour away to go shopping for necessities. 

I have already done all the CE SHOP through Long & Foster but, I still not feeling like I am ready to take the exam, any tips? 

@Jim Butterfield shop around, but as @Kyle Keller mentioned there was a recent change with investor loans where they are trying to limit the number.

And maybe you shopped the loan around a bit, and your fees with AmeriSave are $500 less than somewhere else, for the exact same rate (I always suggest holding constant the rate when doing that comparison, since all lenders have rate sheets that have the exact same rates, it's the fees that differ).