It is a nice quiet neighborhood, but for NYC commuting, it is long, but at least I get a seat on the train.You already know that the Bronx is heating up for a few years now, and although not guaranteed, those $550K homes will inch closer to $650K.  

Get the best dustmask you can find, a comfortable one, because you are going to be wearing it for a long time.

By doing that I have lost some deals because the seller or agent did not feel comfortable with "And/or Assigns" after my name.

If your going to net after ALL cost something you are comfortable with offer as much as your willing to pay.

I don't feel comfortable doing my first sub2 on a house 7 hours away from me and wasn't sure if there was enough meat on the bone to wholesale it to a more experienced and local investor.

You would need to be comfortable with your co-lenders and perhaps sign a Participation Agreement with them. 

As you grow and become comfortable with a type of marketing, master a new one.

While the margins are not what they were a couple years ago people are still making very comfortable livings making hundreds of thousands a year flipping here.  

I am really stepping out of my comfort zone this year not only with investing but also even posting this post!!

Bottom line: You're in the drivers seat and all the other REI persons in your life simply come along side and can only really assist you if/when you're CLEAR about your vision.