Hi Davin, It mainly depends on whether or not you plan on being on the new FHA loan with your spouse.

The main issue is that half of the acreage is blocked by a creek which I'd have to build a means to cross. 

What are the best tips and strategies you would recommend for someone like me who is just beginning their journey?

I wanted to avoid all that since that (i am assuming) will make things complicated for me not to mention the timely payment of rent.i am in Chicago cook county and in loop..

Other than that, not factoring in replacement costs, big ticket item expenses, and not having any reserves are some main ones that come up. 

Aggieland is home to me as well.

I would absolutely offer compensation for an experienced wholesaler willing to help me get started.

Is it too much to think that he would proactively tell me when the stairs are literally crumbling and the gutter is falling off the side of the house?!

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I just continued to reiterate what I was looking for, and sure enough, suddenly an agent sent me a couple great deals, which did not show up on loopnet or the free version of Crexi.