@Ford SmithHere's a journal of a man who paid off $95k in student loan debt in 7 months.http://nomoreharvarddebt.com/2011/08/29/the-challe...He had some advantages that you and your wife may not, but if you read about his actions, he made many sacrifices in order to achieve this.Some of the most important actions he took were:- Increasing income: Started a landscaping business, pedi-cabbed on weekends, rented out part of his home on CL, sold cars/stuff (including a ton of stuff he believed he "couldn't live without" - turns out he could)- Decreasing expenses: Didn't buy a single luxury item, skipped friend's weddings, cooked his own meals, no movie/restaurant outings, stopped contributing to 401kHope you can find some inspiration here.  

Achieve your short-term goals that will produce proceeds and resources that will,2.

Writing down a real estate goal and planning out the step to achieve that goal internally is best.

Auctions can go either way, they are real and a possible good value purchase can be achieved, or they are set up to find a potential buyer by priming the pump so to speak and then engaging/following those interested and/or testing the market to 'set' a realistic price expectation.Here's the thing, just like any other deal, you won't know until you make an offer, and if countered continue until you are comfortable with a deal or walk. 

Achieve your short-term goals that will produce proceeds and resources that will,2.

I would look to purchase some typeof multifamily   property that will allow you to achieve some type of economy of scale as well as spreading risk.  

Achieve your short-term goals that will produce proceeds and resources that will,2.

Achieve your short-term goals that will produce proceeds and resources that will,2.

@Oraude Boston@Jake StenzianoHi OraudeI look for a 10% cash on cash based on actual numbers, not seller proforma.When you have repositioned the property, the cash on cash will be higher based on your success.It may be difficult to achieve 10% in Northeast.  

There are others in your market doing what you would like to achieve find those people and learn from them.