Hungry for knowledge and direction.

[Stephanie Feld]

I am new to real estate investing and I was in line to buy a 240,000 one bed one bath in the heart of Pacific Beach 10 blocks from the ocean.  My parents were cosigning and basically long story short the loan fell through on their end.  The more I learn about investing the more I wonder if that was less of an investment move and more of a want to have a place to live.  I have good credit, no real job history as I was a professional snowboarder the last few years, but bartending (off the books) has allowed me to save about $21,000.  I moved to CA, and got a W2 job, but I'm already sick of trading my time for way less money than I'm used to make bartending, just so I can be seen in the eyes of uncle sam for loan purposes.  I don't know how to get myself into investing.  I want to get into buy and hold, ultimately house hacking would be ideal, but I don't see myself being able to afford Real Estate in the area I want to live.  Do I rent where I want to live and buy elsewhere? Do I look for a partner with deep pockets and do all the leg work? Do I need a mentor?  At this point Im willing to do whatever it takes that it hurts and I'm hoping someone can tell me a story, or give me some advice that might help me find my way.

Thanks,

Stephanie