My current broker ( who represents many companies) is at a loss.

@Charles Worth,Just curious as to why you think it might not end well.No investment is guaranteed to produce a return and all investment involves risk, especially the risk of loss including, but not limited to, the amount invested.

There were so many things we learned, and the biggest is we now incorporate or consider the rehab of the property as an exit, as you will see, trying to sell a <$50,000.00 house As-Is makes us little to no profit & sometimes can be a loss.

Instead of, or in conjunction with, other savings vehicles, consider just ONE rental property and all the benefits of the right property will offer over time: Cash Flow, Amortized Equity, Passive Activity Losses that "may" lower your W2 tax bill if you have less than $125k earnings, benefits of inflation in that not only are tenants paying down mortgage debt and rents increase over time, the debt itself becomes devalued, costing less in actual dollar terms.

I'm sure there are some food service industry jobs In which you could earn $40k+ a year if you are putting in the hours while looking for a physics job.

Right after you close get an insurance policy that protects you if there is a loss.  

I have been a broker now for 42 years.. it has NEVER not one time caused a problem when I want to buy for my own portfolio... as stated simply disclose you are buying for profit or loss.. and have them acknowledge that.again we must be reasonable on valuations  unconscionable profits are still an issue whether your licensed or not... and of course its subject to a trier of fact  ( judge)

Sorry to read about the job loss.

I never used my broker license for a full time job even though I kept it active for about 30 years.i closed a few deals for other people and have only one real estate investment deal for myself.As a safety thing, right after you close on an improved property, get an insurance policy that will protect you if there is a loss.  

I have made so many mistakes throughout this process that after closing I'll be taking a loss.