Hi, hope this isn't too late for you, price is moving.

YES, 5k will always qualify for a masternode and you can buy anytime into the future.

The main-net has not yet been released - not due till Q1. Only test coins are being mined right now in a superb fully-functioning 1-click miner with regular updates. Check git-hub

In the mean time Waltonchain have decided to do an air-drop for all node holders. Expected to be around 80+wtc

The first mining will be CPU-based. This is because THREE significant contracts have been established to implement WC child-chains for major customers. So these have been prioritized and GPU mining put back by a month or 2 while work on the child-chains is turbo-charged. They are employing 2 new programmers per week.

So 1st mining on mainnet within next 2 months or so - CPU
A few months later - GPU
Ultimately ASIC mining.

If you want a node, now is the time, once the Koreans get their deposits back on their exchanges this part-Korean project will continue it's strong upwards momentum. Revenues will be huge this coin is going way over 10x from here.