Sounds like you are really getting to know that particular market and the key people and property issues to help you succeed!

Then I got lucky to marry someone like minded (and I recall the Millionaire Next Door (great book) also found that having a good "defense" or saving money was a key, common theme of the high net worth accumulators of wealth in the US)...Back to the question, I saved some money, but then I did not just bury it in the back yard (where you actually lose money due to inflation, or even put it in a savings account which also loses money relative to inflation), but I read Peter Lynch, Warren Buffett, John Bogle and put what little I saved (and we saved post marriage) into quality stocks and index funds...

Set up key word alerts to find out about geographies and topics that interest you.And listen to the podcasts if you haven't already found them.

The key will be title in your name for at least a year before you try to refi.

This site is key to working through each step in real estate investing.  

The major misunderstanding and likely the key driving the utility of these instruments is notion of ease of eviction.  

@Joel M.The key isn't just that its a 30k home - its what other important factors are specific to the property to make it a decent deal or not.

For example, you set up key word alerts. http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts

Almost a cash for keys situation.

Improved education and a taste of success seem to be the keys to spark interest in many of the stories I've heard.