Buy a Rental Property or Invest in Market?

[Joseph Degnan]

The title says it all. Is it better to buy a rental property or invest in the market? By investing in the market I mean having a financial advisor invest my money for me. A little bit of background about myself - I am 27 years old and I don't not own a home. I am currently going to be buying a home this summer and I will have about $40K - $50K in cash left over. I intend on buying a rental property about a year after living in my home with my family. My goal is to eventually own several rental properties and escape corporate America (be self sufficient). I am pretty handy at fixing things and I have done a lot of remodeling before (tiled bathrooms, kitchens, hung cabinets, painted, drywall work etc.). I would like to start purchasing properties while I am young so I can have them paid off when I am older. Keep in mind it has always been my dream to be an entrepreneur and start a business. Right now I feel like this would be the best route for me to go. I have the drive to deal with tenants and I will take the time to fix properties to make sure they are desirable.

Any advice from experienced real estate investors and landlords would be greatly appreciated! By the way, I am located in Dupage County IL.