So what I'm looking for from you, the greatest RE community, is some guidance on which strategy I should go with, and / or more details about HUD homes.I'd love to connect with people who have:Gone through the process of buying a HUD home (so I could get a step-by-step)An agent that specializes in HUD homes (I've heard too many stories of unqualified agents dropping the ball)Experience in the University Heights market (I've been looking on the west side mostly)Experience with FHA / 203(k) loans (to go over finer details)I would be extremely grateful if anyone could help at all.

Reading through The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Wholesaling takes you through the steps and how to properly calculate what's needed for your property. 

I've no doubt I'll hit those same challenges you're facing, haha.  

Your actionable steps in this order: Fix your credit, get out of debt. 

I wrote down my steps to begin so that I can visualize the process.

It's extremely challenging in the Bay Area but is achieveable with extreme patience in the central valley of California.

And I go further than that as well but thats a great first step.

In terms of outlining step by step goals, I haven't laid it out for the entire time horizon.

Thank you  @Scott Hollister I'm getting started on the first step right now !

Like Chris Said, it would be very challenging to get 3 to 3.6 rate even under a personal loan..