Liquid cash to invest

[Brian H.]

I've been reading a bit about real estate investing. I plan to turn the house I am living in now to a rental soon, but besides that I am looking to get some investment properties and/or be a hands off investor.

I have about $100,000 liquid cash right now, and I will have about $10,000 a month going forward. I am looking to be as hands-off as possible, so I am thinking rather than scouting properties, hiring contractors to fix things up, and then dealing with management companies perhaps it makes sense for me to be a "hands off investor".

How do I become an investor?  

Do I have enough liquidity?

What kind of contracts would I normally be involved in? 

How do I advertise my rates and find people who need cash/help with down payments for real estate? (It seems like this forum isn't good for that at all)

Am I just better off finding someone to do the scouting/handling the busy work for me, but actually own the properties?