I'd spend as much time as possible learning about personal finance, reading the BP blog and listening to podcasts and also check out these resources as they've been instrumental to me "righting the ship" (no affiliation):Mr.

I would think your private lender would have to be very foolish to not record a security instrument in order to secure his investment. 

My purchase contract states "title to the above described real estate to be conveyed by Warranty Deed or other customary instrument of transfer..."

Try never make it a permanent part of the public record because adobe photo-shop can be your worst enemy.Look up the laws of assignments, transfers and sale of negotiable instruments in your part of the world and also endorsements in accordance to the uniform commercial code.

They have been instrumental in whatever success I have had investing in real estate  . 

JUDGMENT AND LIEN INSTRUMENTS Document Type: Judgment Execution Date: 08/07/2000 Instrument No: U627719 Recorded Date: 09/18/2000 Amount: $14,525.66 Holder: STATE OF TEXAS ----------------------------------------------- Document Type: Judgment Execution Date: 09/13/2005 Instrument No: Z039170 Recorded Date: 01/20/2006 Amount: $14,570.70 Holder: DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY - INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE ----------------------------------------------- Document Type: Judgment Execution Date: 08/31/2005 Instrument No: Z112380 Recorded Date: 02/24/2006 Amount: $1,172.00 Holder: THE STATE OF TEXAS ----------------------------------------------- Document Type: Judgment Execution Date: 05/04/2009 Instrument No: 20090564462 Recorded Date: 12/15/2009 Amount: $15,953.12 Holder: WACHOVIA DEALER SERVICES, INC.

This scenario could easily be reversed by comparing the tax rate on gain from trading (i.e. buying and selling) the debt instruments which would be lower against the tax rate on rental income from the real estate investment which would be taxed at a higher rate (i.e. ordinary income).It doesn't seem fair to say that a real estate investment is taxed less because its capital gain tax rate is lower than the ordinary income tax rate of a debt instrument.

Congrats, it's always uplifting to see real life success stories.i can share that just having this first taste of income not from your own labor is indeed liberating.i would like to throw in the mix that "retirement" is not necessarily meant to spend all your day doing nothing. it's a great time to develop as a human being and as a person. learn new skills - painting, playing a music instrument, surfing whatever...the real goal is not  to drop out of life, it's to increase your level in life.hope this helps throwing some ideas into the new found freedom

I haven't done much searching for competition yet but these guys looked promising: http://www.texasinvestorloan.com/ with 30 year fixed, with my credit I may be able to get 5% and 20% down is very close to a fannie mae loan and if they will allow the home to be purchased under an LLC having a Trust be the manager of it and the name on the deed instrument that could be very intriguing.

I think Florida is a lien theory state, so can't advise you on the instrument to use, but yes, your title company should be able to take care of the paperwork for you.A lot of this depends on the seller's situation.Good luck.