I have also been reading everything that I can get my hands on;  Rich Dad Poor Dad, Cash Flow Quadrant, Richest Man in Babylon, 10x rule, Set for Life and Long-Distance Real Estate Investing. 

I feel like I’ve made one of the biggest mistakes of my life right now.

According to the article below "borrowers will receive favorable pricing in exchange for limiting rent growth on 80% of the units in the property and keeping them at levels considered workforce housing for the life of the loan."

FYI our system will break even at 8.5 years and has a 30 year life (panel production will deteriorate slickly toward end of live but still above 80% of new production)

I am looking to provide a great life for my wife and our 1 soon to be 2 children.

In California, there is a 3 year life expectancy for paint.

She is in terrible health and the interior of the home is in terrible shape/living condition.

Don't know about your city, but I think in many locations you're going to have a hard time explaining to the code people or the health department about why rat control is the tenant's responsibility. 

Presently I work full time at Wal-Mart as a Maintenance Supervisor and wish to be able to earn a self sustaining income through real estate so that I can retire my 9 to 5 job, be my own boss and have time to travel with my wife and enjoy life.                            

Will come even close to allowing I and my wife to life for "free" or close to it.Any ideas on how to find better deals in this high value market?