$180,000 how to find Mentor / Partner

[Richard Haug]

OK I am having a dilemma washing around in my head. I have approximately 2 more years to retire with a pension that would provide around 1600 month and SS of about 1500 that would net me about $2000 a month to live on. 

Or I could cash out my pension and walk away with $180,000 seed money to start my REI career.

I have been in the study mode for more than two years and have not felt ready to start buying my first house. Visited two markets I am interested in moving to (Knoxville or Chattanooga TN) 

I have a son living in TN so that's part of the reason, other than how much I like the area and what it offers, and the potential in REI there.

I want to do some flips and buy and hold. Short term rental is also appealing. I know I could far exceed the income my pension and SS would provide by investing in RE. I am not opposed to being a do it yourself-er initially. In fact I look forward to it because I have boxes and boxes of tools to use. 

What would give me the courage to leap into my REI career path now verses waiting and saving capital to start with is having someone to help show me the way.

A little about me is that I am single and can move easily. I currently live in 50 sq ft which is less than most tiny houses, it's a boat so I don't have a lot of stuff. I pay $200 a month so I can save money towards my future REI. I have a credit score of 800 so I am a good risk because I believe in paying my bills and budgeting.

Problem would be that if I walked away and cashed out my pension I would then have no W2 and no income. So I am not opposed to finding other work after relocating. 

Any thoughts, ideas, encouraging words of wisdom out there from BPers would be much appreciated.

Thank You 

Richard