HELP!

[Carrie W.]

I am 27 years old, single mom, with ++ support. My family currently owns commercial property and I have always been very passionate about real estate investing. I am a nurse and work full time, but wanting to explore this lovely world of investing, yet having no idea where to start (being as my education is medicine). I have read that a good place to start might be taking an accounting program  or perhaps the Real estate course to become a broker. I have applied to the OREA - ontario real estate acc. and am giving serious thought to doing this program. Im not sure if this is a good idea, it seems slightly costly and is a career that requires lots of time and attention with continue education (although I realize investing would as well). I just am worried this may not be the right path to travel down. Please give your thoughts, i appreciate any and alllll advice! :)

Carrie 

[Jon Holdman]

HI @Carrie W. and welcome to BiggerPockets.

Give our Ultimate Beginner's Guide a read.  Then think about your goals and time availability.  Many of the things that are called "real estate investing" are actually jobs.  Brokering, fix and flipping, property management, wholesaling, or developing are all jobs.  That is, you do the work, do a good job and then you get paid.  Most require significant cash.  Even wholesaling, which is often promoted by gurus and a quick and easy way to big paydays with little time, effort or money.  Don't fall for those sales pitches.

OTOH, true real estate investment means investing your money into an income producing property.  Its a great way to generate long term assets.  But does almost always require cash to invest.  It requires some time and effort to find and get your properties rent ready, but not much time once they're going.  Once in a while you will have a turnover.  And once in a great while you'll have some ugly situation like an eviction or major tenant damage.