As you can see in this thread alone, all but one response is from someone affiliated with a consumer service provider for retirement accounts.

As an architect myself, clearing the red tape and getting through the municipality review process to attain permits and then the contractor complying with the necessary inspections can be time consuming.

Find some type of private lender willing to do a flexible no doc loan at 50% ltv for them. cons - Given they are a consumer without adequate ability to repay it could be tough2.

Just consume as much as you can.

I've consumed so many BP articles, podcasts, and other material.

Never forget that, for better or for worse, the US consumes 25% of everything on this planet, yet only contains 4% of the global population.

I've found that there are always deals to be found- they are fewer and further between right now, but the risk can be offset by the higher rents in my area right now.

My credit is average and I have about 13,000 in consumer debt.

The added fees, and compliance regulations have almost eliminated small independent investors, and financial institutions from doing mortgages, and in return have actually created worse situations for many consumers.

Most people consume, consume and consume while getting paid twice or four times a month from a job.