As a five year outlook in my opinion, things in this area will look much better than they do now.

Can anyone recommend a book thats helped them have a more positive outlook, changed their mindset, or helped them be more positive in their day-to-day. 

don't be in such a rush to spend it figure out what your long term strategy is first and how you can start fitting in market opportunities into itwhat would I personally do with 100K in todays market, since I like buy and hold:start building a network in a city that I had a good long term outlook on (nashville, charlotte)fly out and meet some people, buy a place and refi my cash out while keeping a large portion of equity in the deal. it must cash flow as well.  

There are a lot of markets with good cash flow but don't have a strong economic outlook which is important to long term investing.

Long term outlooks tend to be for those looking to build wealth that can be passed down from generation to generation.

Does anyone have any background info on this area as far as economic outlook etc.

Move into your next owner occupied deal, stay for 2 years while you renovate and then rent it out.  Look

Are median rents trending upwards from a historical 5yr outlook?

Also know that investors don't necessarily start out looking for private or hard money, but often choose to go that way with mortgage caps and whatnot. 

If you have time to chat and would be willing to share, I'd love to hear more about the strategy that you described and the outlook of that approach.