Veteran, College Student, looking for avenues to start investing

[Nicolaas W.]

Hello all,

I am a Veteran and college student attending Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. I originally moved to Austin upon leaving the military, and wish I would of purchased a house when I did, but no sense rushing things.

I want to start investing and a college town seems like a great start. I have bounced a couple ideas around; single family renting out rooms, multi family, as well as a live-in-flip.

I have no problems getting dirty, as I spend my free time building things with friends, welding, fabricating etc.

I am looking for guidance as to some key articles I should read, books etc, as well as some avenues to explore regarding the ideas listed above. I am currently listening to and taking notes on the BP podcast, Cardone Zone, and Flipping Junkie.

My situation is that I have the convenience of receiving $1700 a month for living expenses when school is in session thanks to the GI Bill, so paying a $600 mortgage is very achievable. I will also be finishing up this year, with atleast $25k in my pocket from a long internship. I have already spoken with my father about assisting me in getting a loan, since I will not have a "steady source of income" in the banks eyes, and per advice from others, using the VA home loan would be difficult (He would essentially be my investor?).

I do like the idea of a live-in-flip as I could have weekly projects to accomplish (which I enjoy), and I would be needing a place to stay regardless, as well as the fact that I have had a string of difficult roommates, and would not mind having my space be my own.

I have read some threads with mixed reviews on live-in-flips regarding money lost, dust etc, and of course this is a numbers game, but being a tinkerer, I am intrigued by the process. Additionally, being able to experience the repairs hands on, I feel it would allow me to be a true judge of the cost and length of different activities if I do contract them out in the future. 

Thank you in advance for any and all advice/guidance.

-Nico