Just a bunch of random things really, but it was all beneficial, in my opinion.PRESENT:I save about 38% of my take-home pay, which will be used as my initial investment capital once I’ve saved enough.

Real estate investing is far more hands on than your 401k or mutual funds, but the added control and direct influence of the returns seems to be something more real estate investors want.You sound like you want to passively invest in real estate.

Once a land trust is established, the ability to trace property transactions becomes limited as state law establishes the right of the trustee not to disclose the true owner of the property or those with a beneficial interest.

I want to know whether or not a Realtor License would be beneficial to those strategies or would it impose restrictions in trying to make those deals?

@Kim BlattYou may want to look into a self-directed solo 401k plan if you are looking for ultimate control over your retirement funds.Following are the similarities and differences between the solo 401k and the self-directed IRA.The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k Similarities Both were created by congress for individuals to save for retirement;Both may be invested in alternative investments such as real estate, precious metals tax liens, promissory notes, private company shares, and stocks and mutual funds, to name a few;Both allow for Roth contributions;Both are subject to prohibited transaction rules;Both are subject to federal taxes at time of distribution;Both allow for checkbook control for placing alternative investments;Both may be invested in annuities;Both are protected from creditors;Both allow for nondeductible contributions;Both are prohibited from investing in assets listed under I.R.C. 408(m).The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k DifferencesIn order to open a solo 401k, self-employment, whether on a part-time or full-time basis, is required;To open a self-directed IRA, self-employment income is not required;In order to gain IRA checkbook control over the self-directed IRA funds, a limited liability company (IRA LLC)  must be utilized;The solo 401k allows for checkbook control from the onset;The solo 401k allows for personal loan known as a solo 401k loan;It is prohibited to borrow from your IRA;The Solo 401k may be invested in life insurance;The self-directed IRA may not be invested in life insurance;The solo 401k allow for high contribution amounts (for 2016, the solo 401k contribution limit is $53,000, whereas the self-directed IRA contribution limit is $5,500);The solo 401k business owner can serve as trustee of the solo 401k;The self-directed IRA participant/owner may not serve as trustee or custodian of her IRA; instead, a trust company or bank institution is required;When distributions commence from the solo 401k a mandatory 20% of federal taxes must be withheld from each distribution and submitted electronically to the IRS by the 15th of the month following the date of each distribution;Rollovers and/or transfers from IRAs or qualified plans (e.g., former employer 401k) to a solo 401k are not reported on Form 5498, but rather on Form 5500-EZ, but only if the air market value of the solo 401k exceeds $250K as of the end of the plan year (generally 12/31);When funds are rolled over or transferred from an IRA or 401k to a self-directed IRA, the amount deposited into the self-directed IRA is reported on Form 5498 by the receiving self-directed IRA custodian by May of the year following the rollover/transfer.Rollovers (provided the 60 day rollover window is satisfied) from an IRA to a Solo 401k or self-directed IRA are reported on lines 15a and 15b of Form 1040;Pre-tax IRA contributions on reported on line 32 of Form 1040;Pre-tax solo 401k contributions are reported on line 28 of Form 1040;Roth solo 401k funds are subject to RMDs;A Roth 401k may be transferred to a Roth IRA (Note that from a planning perspective, it may be advantageous to transfer Roth Solo 401k funds to a Roth IRA before turning age 70 ½ in order to escape the Roth RMD requirement applicable to Roth 401k contributions including Roth Solo 401k contributions and earnings.)

His accountant said he can invest it in ventures other than stocks, bonds, mutual funds....precisely real estate.

In some situations, it's highly beneficial to work with the listing agent, eg. short sale, especially on rental worthy investments which are really hot in SoCal right now.

It costs about $75.The endorsement provides the assignee of a mortgage or deed of trust insured under a CLTA Standard Coverage Policy or an ALTA Loan Policy with assurances concerning (a) the validity of the assignment to evidence the transfer of the entire beneficial interest of the named assignee; and (b) that no full or partial reconveyance, and no modification or subordination of the insured mortgage or deed of trust appears of record.

It sucks for newer investors learning the ropes, but, like I said, reasonable inspections can be beneficial for all.

The technology so advanced with smart phones and iPads, I would think a video walk through would be most beneficial to you as investors because you would be able get the "feel" of the house and surrounding neighbors.