Hello, My wife and I are new to Bigger Pockets and are fairly novice real estate investors in Northern Maryland.

I’m a complete rookie and novice in real estate investing, and I firmly believe in the “crawl before you walk or run” mentality.

In actuality the prop firms make the vast majority of their money collecting $1000 from novice traders as their business model.

A first time wholesaler doing a "subject-to" deal is highly likely to be working with a novice real estate investor who doesn't know what they are doing, and a highly irresponsible, highly desperate, likely elderly seller, who doesn't know what they are doing.

I KNOW I am not up to Accredited.It seems to me to be "backwards" thinking that there is LESS risk to a 'novice' in a FUND since the risk is spread out over many Notes and professionally managed, whereas an Individual Note seems like it would carry WAY more risk, especially picking the 'right one' for your investing goals, budget, etc...? 

These marketers would have the novice investor believe that the narrow focused “education” they provide combined with the “holy grail” formula (wholesaling, subject to, flipping, lease option, discounted note purchase, etc.) is most, if not all, anyone needs to become “independent” and successful, usually by month 12.

I’ve done one successfully in the past, so I’m not a complete novice regarding the topic, but that one experience doesn’t make me any less worried about the possibility of running out of time.

The vast majority of the novices who venture in ignorantly chasing that "BIG $" most often get DESTROYED! 

I was also considering the REI expo in February so maybe I'll see you there.You're a self-proclaimed novice but I think many other members of the community would agree that you're well on your way given your potential cashflowing rental and equity.You seem to have a strong position which would allow you to keep growing your portfolio in the next few years.I'd recommend diversifying your RE portfolio the same way you're diversifying with other investments (REITs, Stocks, bonds etc.).

And I largely ask questions now (admittedly, posing as a novice) to keep up with the new BS.