There are a lot of really high earners on Bigger Pockets, as well as in DC, MD, and Northern VA, so don't beat your chest too hard about your day job that "pays somewhat more than most people."

@Eric H. It

Work hard and keep setting those goals and you will hit that goal by in 2017!

I'd like to hit the ground running and purchase something that already has a locked in tenant.

Nobody can go see all the possible great rentals that hit the market each day, and the only sane thing to do is make some assumptions to narrow the search field:   (1) Rents are consistent by bedroom count for each neighborhood

Jeff, Hit me up.

@Marcia Maynard hit the nail on the head.  

Bryanna Pavlish I was in the same situation a couple of years back...had been working for lumber yard that paid me well enough but felt like I had hit a dead end and the monotony was almost unbearable...

If not it may be a hit or miss and some instances you may find out after you have purchased the property. 

I have an area and investment strategy in mind but when I went to get pre-approval for a loan I hit a wall - the local lender I approached told me that my DTI is too high.