What to do with 150k cash.

[Luis Barcenas]

I need help. My family owns a property in Illinois, paid off. They want to buy a property in Ca. so they want to sell it to get enough for a down payment. They ask me lend them the money. I have the money to pay for the IL house cash. The question is, do I buy the property myself with a lender? Do I just keep it (saving on the closing costs) and rent it? Do I sell it and so that I can collect my money? What would you do and why. Any help would be greatly appreciate it.