If you are comfortable were you are at... than dont worry about it.

If you feel comfortable, would you message me the bank you use?

Make an offer of 3 different prices that you are all comfortable with and let the owner choose.

But even if you don't buy any other properties, in 30 years it will be all paid off and give you enormous rental income every month, which will allow you and your wife to retire comfortably, and always have a place to stay if needed.The best first steps would be to talk with a lender who can help you figure out what kind of financing you can qualify for, and then a local agent who's experienced in 2-4 unit properties and understands your investing goals.

Ultimately I want to become financially independent so that I can live a comfortable life with myself and my family.

He had a way of talking to people that made them feel comfortable with his action and I did not feel that I could do that when I graduated college so I did not get into real estate.You might suffer from that too.  

The home currently has a formal living room, den, dining room, and large breakfast room.

Give yourself whatever time limit you feel comfortable with to see where these actions put you after this time period.  

It is scary, nerve racking and causes some uneasiness, but you have to get out of your comfort zone and DO IT.

I would also add removing old,broken,warn out,or enormous furniture that is clearly unattractive and makes the living room and bedrooms appear smaller and less comfortable than they really are.The house should be staged with modern and appropriate furniture to show buyers what they're new furniture will look like in their new home.Excess clothing that is not normally worn should removed from overstuffed closets and dressers and donated to charity,thrown away,or boxed up and stored off site from the home.If your toilets are old or have unremovable stains that look terrible,replace the entire toilet.Bathtubs should be reglazed to look shiny and new again.