WOW am I ignorant! Advise please?

[J. B.]

Good day all. I registered here recently, and after doing some browsing around
I've come to the conclusion that I am extremely ignorant at this point regarding
the details of property investment or flipping. I don't even know all the things that
I don't know at this point, if you get my meaning. I can/could easily see me being
in the same boat as that Casey fellow - but hopefully not now, after coming here.

Here would be my background: Several years ago I purchased a 10 acre
parcel, split it into smaller lots, and sold them, after having only to put in
a private dirt road/drive, and pay for surveys and perk testing. It was very
simple as I funded it all myself, and my realtor bought all the lots from me
when I sold my home through him to another family. Ended up very simple.

I'm located in the south-west Michigan area, and that is where I'm focusing
on at this point, as I know the area reasonably well. (I "think" anyway)

Here would be my goals now: I'm looking to make enough in my spare time
to be able to purchase and then quickly pay off my dream home. Anything
beyond that would be above and beyond my goals, and would be a bonus.

I have funds saved up at this point to put into any new ventures I pursue.

My few main questions are these:

1) In just one zip code near me, there are 14,000 foreclosed homes, and
150 of them have been since April. This is as of a report I heard on the
radio earlier this morning, and it perked my ears up. My question being:
Should I attempt to purchase and flip one of these homes/properties?

2) I "prefer" land, as it "seems" simpler to me - buy, split, sell. That was
how it went the first time for me anyway, to much success.

Ultimately though, what I "prefer" is what I can gain the knowledge fastest
on, to be able to generate income the simplest way. My ultimate question
for the professionals here is this: What is the single easiest real estate
option that can be pursued to meet my goals above? Land? Flipping homes?
Rental property? Something else I'm still to ignorant to know of yet?

I hope to do things honestly, smartly, and correctly, and I would definitely
appreciate any and all information, recommendations, tips, and advise
that any here could give me, so that I can attain my goal listed above.
I'm ready and willing to learn, study, and become properly educated.

Thank you all very much!

JSA