Where to begin with 20k?

[Brent Miller]

Brand new! Zero properties aside from my own house. I have 20k I can safely invest. I have a few friends that could all do 20k (80k total) as well if needed. Where would you start?

[Omar Khan]

Originally posted by @Brent Miller:

Brand new! Zero properties aside from my own house. I have 20k I can safely invest. I have a few friends that could all do 20k (80k total) as well if needed. Where would you start?

I would continue to save and invest your money into the S&P500 ETF (Vanguard). Build up to 3 months of emergency funds and approx. $50K-$100K in liquidity before venturing into real estate investing to provide a cushion. 

I know this isn't the usual "don't wait to buy real estate, buy real estate and wait" advice peddled by most folks here. But you will be better in the long run when you have a nice cushion and your back is not against the wall.