Re-Starting again

[Dean Julie]

I began learning about real-estate investing in 2007. Did my first short-sale in 2008 and netted $21,000 in 22 days. Bought two rentals in another state in 2009 on a credit card that I eventually defaulted on, because of divorce in middle of 2009. I've been clearing out all the post-divorce crud over the past few years.
The ex-wife and I short-saled the 2nd marital home with a $60,000 deficiency still lingering around. We foreclosed on an investment SFM. I got the 1st martial home in the divorce and rent out two of the rooms while I live in the other room. I still have the 2 out of state rentals that are holding their own at break even.
I lost my job in March of this year 2013, and here I am today.
I probably can hold out till the middle of summer without having to get another job. I've heard about, I've studied about, I've learned about real-estate investing all of these years, with an interest in short-sales and self-storage. If I live real lean, I can get by on $1000 a month. To live comfortably, I would prefer $2000 / month.
At this point in time, I can obviously do this as a full-time job. How possible and/or likely is it to get things going in a few months to cover my living expenses? Or, do I need to get another job and look into real-estate investing as side work until it can replace my job?

[Ben Leybovich]

This is a GREAT post. It’s not a question – it’s a challenge. Are you in?