There is a good rental demand and lots of opportunities to improve the existing housing stock.

A 1985 construction, 2000 sf house that costs $400,000 in a more desirable part of town is going to have similar repairs to the same house in a less desirable part of town where the same house costs, $50,000.To me, houses should be graded like bonds or stocks.

Sources for private money for short term loans might come from relationships with attorneys, stock brokers even insurance agents or financial planners.

Always had the dream of being financially stable in my 40s/50s and have ventured out looking in stocks and whatnot, reading some books, etc.

While I'm very satisfied with my stock portfolio returns, I always have to ask myself how I am able to achieve such returns.

An alternative to stocks, bonds, bank CDs, gold or whatever.

Because we are an employee owned company, I was able to use my company stock as collateral.When I met with the guys, I met with them each individually, explained what I wanted, how it would be paid back, where I would get the money to pay it back, what the property looked like, recent comps, recent rent for the area, etc.

That is great you have a plan in place.I understand real estate so I stay away from the stocks etc.

Buffet is arguably the number 1 stock investor.

Ultimately, I'd like to start my own business, I'm investing in both stock and real estate to create a base that can help support me when the time is right to move away from the corporate world and become an entrepreneur.