@Jason @Jason GriffinundefinedHey Jason,  I live near Pendleton, SC.. so right down the road from you.  

Welcome to BP, we are neighbors, right down the road in GR.

I'm planning on taking some time off the road to dig in.

I am just down the road in Firestone. 

Wholesaling is a good way to make money, bring in capital for the other deals you would want to get into down the road, and it helps with communication with great people that have been in the business for a long time and crush it.I have not gotten into the realm of Wholesaling, but I hear it can be quite challenging, which is what you are looking for and with an ambitious mind you will be able to conquer the area of investing.

Our realtor suggested that instead of paying cash for the home, that we finance half or more and buy two or more rental properties to generate an income stream and that idea sent me down the road of considering homes as an investment to generate a return.

I'm just up the road from you in Schenectady and also looking to build a large rental property portfolio.

Use FHA because of the low down payment and forgiving debt ratio considering your income.Regarding alternative lending programs and no income verification loans, exhaust your conventional financing avenues first before you go down that road. 

I look at things 10, 20, or 30 years down the road.

Whatever you hope to achieve through real estate, defining your goal is the first step, as that will direct what types of investments you pursue.EducateThis step may sound like a no brainer to some, but there are prospective investors believe real estate investing is a straight and narrow road with one clear path.