I'm trying to get my Dad into real estate but he only likes stocks

[Adam Abdullah]

Hi everyone, I'm Adam and I'm new here. I'm 28 and an aspiring real estate investor. I have no personal financial resources to buy a property on my own so I'm looking first to relatives for investment money for a down payment. First ones who come to mind are my parents. My Dad is an MD and has an undisclosed amount in his retirement mutual funds in addition to 500k in stocks. I'm trying to convince him to move some money into real estate but he seems to have a negative impression of it. He's said things like, "I don't want to be a slum lord" "I like the liquidity of my stocks" "I can make a better return in stocks," "I don't like for my money to be tied up in an illiquid property," "I could make the same kind of money in a REIT or MREIT."

I would like to be able to answer his concerns and I have some idea how but I would like for some of you to help me help him and help me. Input greatly appreciated.

[Zachary Miller]

With your dad being a doctor I would assume (perhaps incorrectly) that he is fairly well read and has an understanding of the stock market. '

With that in mind, advice like "read Rich Dad, Poor Dad" isn't going to convince him. I personally read that book and thought that the book was pretty bad. Additionally, the fact that his company filed for bankruptcy protection in 2012 definitely made me glad that I didn't really take the book to heart. 

I personally have the following view on real estate which differs from the vast majority of BP that I have seen. My view is that a few real estate investment properties would be a good addition to my investment portfolio (which is primarily in the stock market).