Something about it being more than half way to something rather gave me a moment of pause, yes indeed...As it turned out, however, 40 was quite a year for my family and I.

I've made a career that includes buy outs and expensive work outs when TIC partners die.Were you to give the seller a purchase money note and mortgage/DOT for part of the equity you buy, you can write your own terms, including when payment begin, stop or pause.

Archie, I rather like your idea of pausing, your self awareness about being new, and educating yourself (about both real estate investing and landlording).

I have always felt like I knew enough to be dangerous...always had gaps in my knowledge base that gave me pause.

Total in house process.Not all investors can "in house" the whole process which is a HUGE advantage.I agree using self directed funds IS a great vehicle, (which I am currently utilizing for our acquisitions) but before folks go running off to convert their life savings, here's a few things that caught my attention about this situation.My post is really for the newer people to really pause for a moment before going "all in".Flipping can bury you if you have a "pie in the sky mentality" and your only trade experience is a slew of "Flip this house" re-runs.He's been doing it for 40 years.

I am kind of on pause at the moment trying to figure out my next moves, but those are the areas that I like!

An experienced investor knows and can model out for future years how the cash flow and expenses will look.Hopefully these properties appreciate and are in strong rental markets to help pull out of the hole over time.Just because banks are willing to give loan after loan and a real estate broker keeps saying buy, buy, buy doesn't make for great investments.I think at this point reviewing your plan and really taking a pause and step back (foot off the gas) would possibly be a great thing to do.

I have some money for a downpayment in a rental, but this made me pause and reevaluate.

Unfortunately the higher rates are doing what they are designed to do- cooling or pausing / second guessing investor demand.  

Not sure if I should pause my debt paydown (and also my wife is about to switch w2 with a significant raise) and save the cash to use.