But perhaps I'm not as efficient or as creative as I can be (good chance since I'm newer in the business), and I keep hearing about people who've gone from living in their car to filming their guru programs at their beachfront mansion in Florida.  

No need for a a list of addresses.BTW read other threads about lonnie deals here.There's so many other creative deal types that take zero or near zero cash I can't imagine why one would mail MH owners when you could be mailing low equity homes in nice neighborhoods for the purpose of buying subject to or lease - option that you';d turn around and put in a tenant lease option buyer.  

Check to see if there is a waiting period before you can legally rent a house with an FHA mortgage.When it comes to purchasing investment property, there are many creative financing methods to use, especially if you are looking to buy and hold. 

Live frugally, think creatively, make a plan, work the plan and never stop learning.  

Get creative and build a good rapport.

Everything from:(1) contract a property manager, (2) analyze lenders apples-to-apples, (3) engage your contractor (and I've even included a document for your contractor to use to provide you itemized bids on work - no more guessing what you are paying for), (4) a lease agreement, (5) a "checklist" of business incorporation items to launch your real estate LLC and (7) even a BRRRR deal analysis spreadsheet so you can know right away if you'll be making a great deal.These legal docs are enforceable in all States.

There are also groups such as the Chicago Creative Investors Association and Chicago REIA where you can meet other investors that are doing investing full time. 

There are so many creative financing methods out there.

Some other avenues to look at if for creative replacement properties that would qualify for 1031 treatment:1.

I consistently run across students of his that are doing deals and he has some creative methods of directly reaching out to note sellers.