This makes it a safer bet than unpredictable market investments.

Your best bet is to consult with a few contractors to get some bids and go from there. 

Fear of debt will slow your progress and growth as well.

It would be best to get it from friends and familyThose with little experience are struggling to raise money (I am in a group with 20+ syndicators and everyone is raising less and those who are first timers are basically drying up after first $500k-$1M)As mentioned syndication route would be your best bet but make sure to have a great plan in place on what you are going to do and how you will exit

I lived off of those commission notes for first half of the 80s.. not always did i have to do that but I bet I stack up 100k or more of those notes and in early 80s that was real money LOL..

That's a very fair explanation.....I bet most people never think about that...

I'm also hesitant to bet heavily on permanent tax deferral strategies (e.g., "buy, borrow, die") as a lot could change about the tax code over my lifetime.

I bet the seller is motivated to sell.

Most homes I bet were spec / tract homes, at least around here.

Which of the following small towns would be the best bet for future appreciation: Jasper, Clanton, Eva, Oak Grove?