Sometimes I wonder if people just feel better about themselves to spend all those nights and weekends on real estate when, realistically speaking, they would have earned just as good a return (or pretty close to it) by investing in a stock market index fund and had way more free time in life  I realize my premise here is antithetical to the whole notion of BiggerPockets so of course bigger pockets hates me writing this, as do all real estate agents and property managers, but it’s the truth and everyone needs to think about it

It is our goal to deliver all of this in the RTR Academy along with a plethora of benefits to students to include:-VIP access to RTR inventory before the general public-ability to earn back course fees through investing & our attractive referral program-tax, legal & investing advice from our team of attorney, CPAs & investment advisors-no cost SDIRA or solo 401(k) account to invest through retirement vehicles -lifetime membership with no ongoing or additional fees, etc.!

I guess the only thing giving me hesitation is that it looks like housing prices are at all time highs even after adjusting for inflation:https://fred.stlouisfed.org/se...Housing affordability is worse today than it was at the bubble peak in 2006 if you believe Case Shiller data. 

It's early, but it looks like we'll earn around a 8-9% ROI.

He stated that his GF Rachel has her own corporate job earning six figures.

Use the ge benefits that you have earned to their fullest. 

But if I put the money into buying a house, with the leverage of a mortgage loan, I can still earn about 11% annually on my investment on the appreciation, even though there is no cash received for the rent.

To Sum it up, its a good idea if you can exceed the cost of capital (higher rate than your cost of debt) with what you earn on your heloc/debt you pull out and invest.The question is how much gains above is enough to substantiate the risk of your variable interest rate, well thats up to your personal investing criteria.

Mid thirties couple earning very well (more than 8X rent) with a small pet.

If you are trying to come up with a way to finagle the occupancy requirements while using an amazing loan (that you earned based on your service) like a VA, I would say you are starting off on the wrong foot.