Private Lending? Cash Purchase? or nothing?

[Jeff Wright]

So after 10 years in my profession my wife and our 8 kids (yes 8 kids) have decided to travel for a year or so in our very large RV. With 200k in the bank (150 invest, 50 travel) we would like to move from just stock investing to RE. I have lots of construction background and business experience in government but no actual RE experience other than the purchase, rehab, and sell of our current home. My question is with funding. Obviously financing a new home without a current employer would be more difficult than having one, but what are my options for financing without employment over the next year? I'm in a position where I would rather be leveraged than spend it all in one place. Opinions? And thanks.

This was posted prior but with only one appreciated comment so I'm reposting it here with a new title!