Not sure how many of you decided to go this route, but if all goes well I will post about my experiences.

This is the ideal route because you will get a paycheck immediately and you'll accelerate your learning.

I am exploring the route of tax liens and deed auctions (or over the counter) as a possible investment route for diversification in REI.

Best route in my opinion would be to get together a pool of private money lenders that are at your disposal.

Since you are in this for the long term you should do really well (assuming you buy correctly and do your due diligence.)Buying and holding for the long term is always the best route to wealth.

Through my participation in this forum I may decide to go another route.

You can do the LLC and sell the LLC but only a few buyers will go that route. 

Becoming efficient in google maps will save you a ton of time in creating a mailing list.If you just do a general list to commercial properties, the USPS Direct Mailer program (EDDM) allows you to select the exact mail routes which would include your targeted commercial properties.  

I wanted a smaller/more manageable first investment so that's why I've been more interested in the condo route...BIG THANK YOU for the hypothetical explanation on leverage, you made that so simple.

This is what I would do:See if your fiancé could qualify for the home on his own and go that route if possible.