Once we were no longer burdened by the heavy weight of debt, we could shift our efforts over to wealth accumulation and giving like crazy.Find your Minimum Required Income Level (MRIM)Now that you don’t have any more “bad debt,” what is the minimum amount of income you need to live on annually?

I want to make my first Real Estate Investment before March 19th, 2018 (my birthday)From there I want to accumulate enough real estate investments to supplement my income  in order to retire by 2025 (7 years from now), but first things first.

Wherever it slopes, there will be significant water flowing, and if that water isn't managed correctly, it will cause problems (even if it is managed correctly, it can cause problems--because you, or someone, has to manage the water management infrastructure to keep it operational).If the driveway does slope toward the house, the accumulating water can cause foundation settling, masonry degradation, rot, possibly flooding, etc.Water is the enemy of houses--and understanding the specifics of how water moves, accumulates, drains, etc. is probably the most underrated skill in real estate investing, IMO.Good luck out there!  

I’ve accumulated a little bit of knowledge about the industry.

Accumulating $1,000/m in cash flow for 5 years is an obvious way. 

If you keep this, you should accumulate that $1700 a month until you have a cash reserve of about $10K (six months rent.)

He sent us a pic of the ceiling after bathroom exhaust vent is removed that shows an accumulation of dust and says it is impossible that it got that dusty in the months that they live there.

We properly recorded the assumption between us and the other individual, and the lender and other individual recorded a notice of consent to loan assumption.I don't see any assignment language in the document.The note states that we "promise to pay to {owner, husband and wife, as tenants in common} (information on principal sum, interest, and currency), at the office of {address} or at such place as the legal holder hereof may designate in writing"To me, it reads as if they can change the address in writing, but not who we are paying.Later, it states that we shall pay "principal and interest payments of {amount} on the 5th day of each month to the office listed above, and, at the election of both {husband and wife}, or the survivor of them, if not called sooner, which election shall be made in writing, in one lump sum payment of principal and accumulated interest on {date in future}."

The cash flow is what recovers that cost, so when the total accumulated cash flow, over the first few years, is equal to (or greater than) the total cost to the REI (cash paid), then the REI has recovered their cost, and they are making a profit from that point forward.If you have to pay added cost (cash) for any reason (i.e....negative cash flow, rehab, etc...) that adds to the cost and must be recovered before profit is made...kind of a step backwards, then once recovered, you're moving forward again.The reason for selling after your equity has doubled is you're losing money. 

Accumulate all you can over time and don't ever use them for anything but making you money.