Any bank with any sort of underwriting standards is going to ask, already know, and independently verify the answers to the most of the above questions, so you might as well answer them up front and bring the bank documentation of your analysis.

@Brandon Turner, thank you for all of the information you have published and written about on wholesaling.

I would like to be financially independent and become a part-time real estate investor in the states! 

So I went on a mission to search out the drivers of this price difference, and am publishing my findings from then in a series of posts.

That way you can be an independent broker and not have to work for anyone.

(As a note, the average successful interest rate bid at the Tax Sale held in November 2015 was 2% per each 6 month redemption period for the majority of parcels sold.)Information about the Annual Tax SaleThe Tax Sale will be held on November 17th (and 18th, if necessary)A list of delinquent parcels will be published in local newspapers in October.

Appraisers are  mostly independent.  

You have an independent contractor agreement/relationship with your broker.  

I oversee the marketing department for a children's publishing company and my significant other, David, is a mechanical engineer.

IMO, the best start to financial independence in REI is to purchase a property where you can rehab it, rent it, refinance and pull your investment out and repeat until you have your $4-5k in cash flow.