If you live paycheck to paycheck and do all this you are never going to become an investor because you aren't willing to change your lifestyle now for something you can have in a few years.  

She has a ton of units in Des Moines and still lives in the area so may be able to give you some advice on what might work there and what won't.

Hi Colin, I live and invest in St.

I’m looking to purchase a 10 acre parcel either in Columbus, Dahlonega, or Helen.I’d like to live on half the land, and develop the other half into five A frame luxury short term rental units. 

I wouldn't start investing in the US if you have no plans on coming back from living in China.

In New Hampshire, title laws are strict, so we couldn’t move forward without obtaining a signature from a living heir.The title company dug deep and eventually located a distant relative—a niece of the deceased owner, two generations removed.

Perhaps you could also purchase a duplex, for example, and use personal funds for the portion that you can live in and 1031 funds for the investment portion.

My girlfiend and I are looking in La Grange and Brookfield which is not quite as fast west as you, but my aunt lives in Wheaton so I am quite familiar with your area.What's your game plan over the next two years? 

@CraigIf you have two offers with that high of down payment already you must be living right!

Your argument would suggest that if I bring home $2k/month in cash flow from a rental property in LA (where I live), that's a good deal, even though I probably had to put $2M cash into it initially.