All together, it's a pretty healthy list of reasons to go the Solo 401k route over a self-directed IRA if you are or can become eligible.

Agent informed that the owner has been hands off for about 8 years, his health is not so good, and pretty much just wants out.

In between my jobs I am researching the market up there, but you have pointed out the possibility of HUD homes, which I haven't considered.Do you think the market might still give a healthy cash on cash return in Newark?

(Anything other than a 30 or 15 year fixed is foreign to my family) I'd like to learn about the different financing options and their benefits and shortcomings both in general and with regards to specific types of deals.Learning and networking (duh) Im here to learn from the successes, mistakes and overall experience and expertise of others in the business of real estate and to establish healthy business relationships.Thanks everyone!

If we leverage our money putting a healthy 30% down the cash on cash returns becomes 47.6%This is my current approach to leveraging the little liquid funds I have to attain the highest return.

My short term goal is just to get started with my first deal; 5 yr goal to support my family through real estate investing; long term goal to completely replace my former salary ($12,000/month after all deductions) and have a healthy small business to leave my children, should any of them wish to have it.I would greatly appreciate any other experienced local investors who are looking to grow their current business to contact me.  

Long term, I would like to build a healthy portfolio that will keep me busy and hopefully allow me some freedom. 

Easy market in small town; scarce rental opportunities available with a healthy demand. 

Currently I have a SFR (my former residence) rented out for a healthy profit.

I think I have accumulated a fairly decent grasp on the basic concepts, but the more I learn, the more questions I have and the more holes I see in my knowledge set, which admittedly translates to a healthy dose of skepticism.