Stay engaged, ask lots of questions and welcome at least 3 new folks every day (you'll quickly build your network).

I suppose if it's cyclical, and the worst doesn't come to pass with the stock market or the jobs/wage situation or government debt causing a meltdown, then I can just weather the storm of a 3-4 year price drop because I would still be paying down debt on an annual basis (and inflation would be helping me).Thoughts on this?

Learn something new everyday.

With an already established cash basis you can do so much with that.

No proof of payment, no audit trail for source of funds, large transactions on a regular basis, not good for them or you.No credit history of mortgage payments to date, like I said, a lender will not take your word for it as you benefit from the loan proceeds......like, yes, they paid me before payments were due, greatest people I've ever dealt with, now,  please give them a loan so I can get my money :)Don't know what other deposits you make, but if you've been dumping more than a grand in as a lump sum for months and that was not customary for your account your bank may be doing (should be) doing "large cash transaction reports" with each deposit.I'd be giving my bank a call, explain you've been depositing seller financed note payments and that you were paid in cash, I'd explain the "ignorance" of the matter and ask for guidance.

(still learning how to use it best but getting better everyday)My website is almost up( hopefully today), got my Bandit Signs ready, working on a nice,specific Absentee Owner list, have my cards, flyers (still refining them), learning the complicated Probate process (which is becoming less complicated thanks to your posts), got access to MLS (through a friend) and the www and learning about the beauty and effectiveness of the Social Networking World (one scary puppy I tell you!).

Not because it is a ridiculous amount of work, but because I have to be there everyday.

Welcome to Houston @Taylor Bacot , Houston market is just getting hotter and hotter everyday.

Since I lucked out and found BP, about 6 weeks now, I have been reading everyday at least 3 hours trying to learn as I know nothing about real estate.

Spend your time reading, reading, reading, and LEARNING before you even begin to figure out what kind of loan to get.I am 23 and work in commercial real estate and am still learning every day.