It's often the case that the higher return more than makes up for the early withdrawal penalty after X months, with 12 often being X.A certificate of deposit is super low risk, and not sexy at all, but it's secure, you control it, and it's not subject to the whims of wall street. 

I see cap rates advertised in the teens regularly.

I started with mobile homes in Ohio and Indiana, when I was a teen. 

It’s not the “sexy” way, but your odds are a lot higher than just not going to college and trying something else

While flipping is sexy, it's not for the faint of heart.

If I installed a sexy laminate flooring throughout, plus remodeled my 80's kitchen, plus remodeled my 2.5 bathrooms, I might be able to get $2,700-$2750/month. 

This could take your yield down into the low teens (after allowing for comissions, closing contribution, etc).

It's not as sexy as some "other" techniques out there - but it works.Anyways, I hope all of that makes sense.  

It is not a REIT and has projected ROIs of mid to upper teens .  

With anything it's a roll of the dice on the weather, could be 70 all the way to January, or in the teens the whole time.So I'd figure unit to be vacant until Jan - Feb time frame and higher gas bills for heat.