But, my understanding is that, most importantly, I'd have built up home equity with this purchase and will be in a better spot financially to purchase a home for myself, once I'm ready.

Also, once you have the market identified what are some of the best ways to familiarize yourself with the market financially?  

Budgeted $40k with my contractor but $50k in my financial analysis, so yeah, we should be able to cover this one...everything you read says you will make mistakes, no matter how much practice and prep and mentorship.

He's maybe a top10 financial independence blogger.Thanks!

Found some great financial podcast in which I found mention of BP.

If it's high, I would say try to pay them down super fast before you get preapproved so that's not over your head financially during the approval process for DTI.

Jesse, my post was not aimed at you at all, rather to @Jay Hinrichs who likely knows the individual I am referring to who has filled our forums with a bunch of garbage.

Having people do those things can free you up to focus on what you do best and what gives you the greatest financial return per hour.If you are starting out with very little money then you generally have to look at doing things yourself and boot strapping until you can build enough capital to invest and grow your business.I will give you a case in point.

This could be months, so I don't think that helps your financial situation.

If you just do it "when you want to" it may not come as easy to you, but realize that real estate offers financial freedom.