Questions and advice needed

[Ryan Brooks]

So right now I have super limited income. I get about $750.00 a month in SSI and have about $1500 in resources (checking/savings) (the max you can have with SSI is $2000.

Heres my dilemma I'm facing. I have a lot of health issues and don't drive, but I can work part time--which I am trying to do right now. FWIW I'm a 30m, no kids, no debt, and my apartment rent is $445 a month. I know the tax advantages of real estate vs stocks.

I have found a lot of properties in Jonesboro, Arkansas (where I live at the moment). Some have tenants in place, others need a bit of TLC. If I were to buy my first property using a first time home buyer program, would I still be able to take out a 2nd mortgage and buy a 2nd property, or would I not be allowed to do that?.

My expenses right now are about $740 a month. If I got off SSI and worked a 2nd job, it'd bring it to $940 a month. (I've done the math--basically $840 from one job and $725 from another so about $1550 after taxes).

I guess what I need is someone to kick me in the arse and prove to me why investing in real estate is better than just stock piling cash in the bank :P. (Which, when I get my first and 2nd part time job is what I was planning to do).