Getting a property under contact just gets you in the diver's seat before everyone else bids up the property.

I'm the developer, so investment would be paid back from the profits of the beach club, restaurant, SCUBA, commercial shop sales, etc.

You are (almost) living the dream life of my younger self - Mine would have included some white water, skiing and SCUBA - but enough of that So lets talk REI - If I were in your (rock climbing) shoes, here is what I would do - Use your 100k to pay cash for your first investment - you should easily be able to find a property to generate the $1,000 / mo with a $100,000 investment - Here in the houston area, we can get about $1,000 with just a bit more than $100,000 --- maybe $110,000 - $120,000  and that looks like a < 10year old home in a great neighborhood - but I'm sure you can get better returns with something less expensive in the midwest - Next I would just continue to enjoy your life and work occasionally while saving a bit of your income for the next purchase --- when you live below your means, it has a tendency to pile up pretty quick -- once you have a few thousand in passive income, you should be a more attractive applicant for financing to to accelerate your acquisition rate - The good news is that you are starting super young and it will be difficult to keep from acquiring a massive portfolio by the time you are at most people's "normal" retirement age-The other option (and less desirable in my opinion - although probably easier in the beginning) is to find someone with a good job/income, but zero money to invest (this forum has them coming out of the woodwork) and partner with them on the purchase --- use part of your $100,000 for down payments on several and keep a bit in reserve for emergencies--Whatever you do, you are way ahead of the masses- Enjoy the lifestyle and Happy Investing,jeff

@Lee Divers My partner owns and operates a laundry business and is also an investor - Lee, do you have any ideas for costs?

I like to scuba, ski, play tennis, go hiking.

I'm interested in real estate investing because I'm interested in scuba, photography, biblical studies, and movies. 

Are you scuba diving in your pic?

A little bit about me...I'm currently an active duty Navy diver stationed in Groton, CT.

I have the best job in the world, and when I'm not shooting things with explosions, action sequences, and car commercials, I want to make more time to go rock climbing, and scuba diving, while making passive income through real estate to spend more time with my wonderful family, and my amazing girlfriend. 

McIntire enjoys scuba diving and is a certified Rescue Diver.