Please don't take offense to any of this - but reading about deals, analyzing numbers, and listening to podcasts will only expose you to, and teach you so much.

No offense to PMs, but I haven't found anyone worth working with.

no offense, but it sounds like you really jumped in without a lot of knowledge.where did you get the contracts?

Well passing a bad check is a criminal offense .

No serious offense intended, but Bogleheads is that way --->.But if I have to answer here, REITs and real-estate related ETFs are perfect for real-estate exposure.

@Anthony Mitchell  please take no offense however if your asking this question on this website you probably need to have much more experience .

You could always go on the offensive and let him know that unless he settles for what you very fairly offered him for his work and time that you'll do a PSA at every investors meeting you attend over the next few months to share the experience you had with him and to warn them and anyone they know against ever hiring him for any plumbing work.

So a non-violent and non-sex-offense felony that happened long ago so that at least five years time has passed since release could be forgiven; but only if no other arrests happened.

No offense, but $20k or $12k may be enough to get you started, but is highly unlikely to allow you to become financially independent in 5 years.

I completely understand and took no offense.