I'm a full-time wholesaler in the Baltimore-DC and get those type of properties on a regular basis.

In this dream scenario, I have a decent house on the peninsula (which is already difficult to afford, even on an engineer's salary), I'd be living and raising a family with my lovely girlfriend Sammi (don't tell her I'm hoping to propose to her soon), and I'm regularly auditioning for professional shows up in San Francisco, and perhaps even New York occasionally.This won't be possible without a strong strategy and focus in real-estate.

Would you recommend foreclosure/shortsale /auction vs regular purchase?

No way are people spending $7 on a regular coffee when they walk into any pizzeria or chicken joint bargaining for a slice of pizza. 

Any list that you get in the future, try to 'match' it against the main parcel list ( most counties will release an update parcel list monthly, with updated owner/sales info, so update that county list regularly) in a manner like this                 bigger pockets is blocking this link so just add (  watch?

Please don't contact me if you don't have any money to put down(Im assuming this is commercial right) I work with thes investors/sellers on a regular basis and do not want to tarnish my relationship with them.

You must have examples of contracts (choices) and lead disclosure, regular disclosure, plats etc.

In my experience, I've met regulars who look up leads on a regular basis for themselves or companies and have found a few of them who would be willing to send me lists since they do it regularly anyway.

I just need proof of funding so i look good for the short sale lender but I cant get proof through a regular lender. plus having a hard money lender is aslo like having cash,right?

I was wondering if you would evaluate a rental property the same way in a college town where you have new tennants usually once a year as you would when targeting regular tennants.In New Brunswick, NJ, landlords do yearly leases june 1 to june 1, and the rents are very high compared to regular rentals to non-college kids.