Less cash outlay which means buying another sooner... 

Since housing is so expensive in my area, I'd like to meet someone who could be interested in acting as a private money lender so that I can get into the game sooner than later.

If you are going to  be here in the future, it would make sense to buy sooner rather than later.

Looking back on it do you think there would have been a way for you to quit your full time job sooner?

Fannie Mae, for 1-4 units, can use delayed financing if original cash transaction is not borrowed money.Overall, worst case scenario is wait 6 months, but with Feds raising rates in June, then refinance the sooner the better.Terry Lao

The sooner that you admit that and move on the better your business and your life will be.  

Not sure if going the agent route would be palatable with student loans and wanting to move out of my parents home sooner than later.

I've been looking at San Antonio and I haven't found a property yet that yields close to the same ROI.The deal came up and I wanted to get started sooner than later.

Your items in the basement will need to be relocated as I am turning the basement into a gym/laundry and another apartmentBoth their units will be renovated with new kitchens and baths.

However, they want the property developed/built on sooner than the higher bidder is willing to complete.