Or do you think in 2 years my $200,000 down payment would've just been better in the stock market earning a historical average of 10% (With dividends reinvested, not adjusted for inflation).

Last year my largest holding FDUS, paid 13.6% dividend and stock also went up 8-9 %, as long as 10 yr flat to rising they make money on their large net interest margin spreads.if you ok with moderate risk, pick good REITS, as a group VNQ they beat sp500 last 20 and 50 yrs by about 1.5-2.0%, and they beat private real estate investors by 2-4% in academic studies as well, that's an average, that doesn't mean REITS outperform the excellent investors here at BP :)Or take out a margin loan and YOLO Bitcoin, no don't do that!

I have done things with attorneys, CPAs, stock brokers, insurance brokers and others successful in business.General business knowledge, understanding of financing requirements, knowing property valuations, maturity in personal financial matters to give general advice, understanding of the foreclosure process, legal aspects as to liability in leading someone into financial matters, fully understanding fraud issues and the differences in a general matter where fraud might be applied as generally thought of and what may constitute bank fraud causing or even attempting to cause a loss to an insured bank having different standards.

They are probably telling 10 other landlords the same great feedback as me and then deciding to not follow up.Ill put less stock into the words they say until they submit an app and sign a lease....Yep, the joys of landlording. 

I know the general basics of the market, the business model, etc, but I was hoping to take my knowledge to the next level.My biggest goal right now is to own a rental property before I graduate college (currently a junior in high school).For context, I love reading books about investing and personal finance (I have a very solid foundation of knowledge built up) and I currently have a portfolio of about 11k between stocks and crypto. 

Otherwise investing in the stock market or better yet, a high interest savings account (mine is at 5.5%) can actually be a safer bet.If you are set on condos, I would be looking in Ventura County.

Let’s say you were 30 and could choose between $1M in stocks/cash, whatever.

Stocks are at all-time highs.I wish I could buy my way out of my JMo Core PCE wager.

Instead, buy some Altria (symbol "MO") stock, which has 58 years of steady to increasing dividends, and is yielding around 10 percent.  

That's stock market good.