@Clarence Gong There's some very sage advice above...I don't think I can contribute a lot more...I can say that I have a construction background of over 20-years and manage some pretty large renovation projects...we just bought a 150-year old hotel and it's great...settling foundation, original windows and doors, crumbling plaster, a boiler that could power the titanic...active knob-and-tube...radiant heat...The point is to be well educated and prepared for what you are getting yourself into.

Newbie real estate investor here excited to learn and contribute where I can!

I'm an Air Force Vet myself, and I'd be happy to contribute.

But since I would be occupying it for about 5 years, contributing my would-be rent payments towards the mortgage, does that change things?

Helping you to understand the flexibility and limitations that come with using a self-directed retirement plan to invest in real estate is the bigger issue, and will vary considerably based on what kinds of investments you look to engage in.There are a lot of good threads here in the BP forums on the topic, and you will be able to pretty quickly identify those plan providers who take the time to thoughtfully contribute to the community. 

That often result in arguments when one party felt his contribution is bigger.

Looking forward to learning from this awesome community and finding ways to contribute back.

He's also told me 5-6 more lawyers he knows are willing to contribute to this also.

Here is what I can contribute and is also based on research I did in late 2016.The downturn began around 2007 and effectively continued until about early-2012.

So I'm looking into investing in a duplex with a close friend and I'm not sure how to go about the deal.Here's what we're thinking: he finances the loan, and we each contribute 50% of the down payment (around $18k each.)