@Brian Reynolds,If your TSP is with the past employer - you should be able to roll it over into self-directed IRA and then invest in alternative assets such as real estate. 

LOL  now they were keen on real estate no doubt and my talk was on everything BUT rentals as Rentals are talked about ad nauseum so I make a presentation on alternative investing in the real estate space which given my career I have done a lot of .. so it was fun.. and not a pitch fest I got no business from it I just enjoyed doing it meeting those sharp young folks and thinking man is this a great company to work for.. 

It was a good investment as the alternative would have been bankruptcy and becoming a renter again.  

., IRA Services Trust Company or Pensco Trust) that will allow for alternative investments, the IRA rules do allow for investing in syndication.

We typically look at these as 36-48 month balloons on a 30-yr am schedule...7-8% interest...10-20% down...Alternatively, you could structure a lease with an option to buy....same basic concept but it works differently...contract for deed offers the seller the most protection because you hold title until the terms are satisfied...and there are a few variations of each...just depends on what you're comfortable with.

The podcast with @Dave Van Horn was great and provides an alternative way to make a solid return, with reduced hassle factor (as my wife likes to call it).  

We find that is more immediate checks because they are already frustrated with their Realtor (in most cases) and are open to alternatives.  

Like I said in a previous point, Sacramento landlords may hike up rents prior to the law taking effect, which would make Stockton a much cheaper alternative to Sacramento for renters.Second, Investors will also flock to Stockton since there won’t be any rent control, and compete with owner-occupants for housing… competition for housing = higher sales prices.BUT – that may put Stockton on the same path in a few years’ time once prices and rents catch up with Sacramento.

We find that way, knowing that they can't get their price on the conventional market, they will be more open to hearing about alternative options.However if a Realtor refers us a seller or buyer, we'll pay them a referral fee of up to 25% of whatever we collect for a down payment (usually 3%-10% or the Purchase Price).Hope that helps,Chris Pre

Alternatively, if you still want to stick to debt free investments, then either go for notes, or become equity partner in a syndication.Best!