But we were at a very different stage of the market cycle.  

This can inspire and help to take the real estate into new directions.This is one of the few businesses; which can be picked up any stage of life.Good luck.

And the very interesting trend there is that Oil is starting it's resurgence towards what many think of as the latter stages of this real estate cycle. 

So, over the longer term - the best of both worlds.A conversation with a fee only financial advisor (a consultant, not a stock salesperson) would probably be very well worth your time, especially at this early stage of your career. 

I do believe we are now in the latter stages of the real estate cycle, so leaning towards more cash flow and recession proof investments.   

What are my options for taking the equity out at this stage?

I am gonna buy a property in some stage of pre or full foreclosure, with the owners still in it...? 

Last night after a long day of work and trying to buy a couple Christmas gifts for the kids (I am so behind) I got emailing/texting my property manager about an idea to leverage some staging I did at my apartments into a full on furnished corporate rental option....simultaneously I was emailing back and forth with my contractor about our rehab project....while simultaneously updating my website, tracking invoices, preparing financials for my CPA....and eventually at 12:30am I threw in the towel on getting up at 5am to get my run in (also training for my 23rd marathon).  

page=5Bonus for the weekend, my collection for starters (read the comments too, and then if you like the author, go check out what else they wrote): - https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/stages-of-investing/ - https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/newbies-learn-real-estate-investing/ - https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/5-ways-to-know-youre-not-ready-to-invest/ - https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/ideal-vs-desperate-investor/ - https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/how-much-to-offer-property/ - https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/hazardous-attitudes-of-investors/ - https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2016/05/31/21-traits-scammy-real-estate-investment-guru/ - https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/youre-not-cut-out-to-be-real-estate-investor/ - https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/questions-new-investors-should-ask/If that's not enough, ping me and I'll give you a whole collection of blogs and podcasts to follow.Bonus 2: 1) Read at least one hour per day every single day.2) Remember the quote by Jim Rohn "You are the average of the five people that you spend the most time with."3) Check for toilet paper before sitting down.

I am not really new to BP but I finally sign up for Pro and getting out of the analysis paralysis stage.