For a good description on the difference between investing and speculating (the greater fool theory) read the first few chapters of the book below: A Random Walk down Wall Street: The Time-tested Strategy for Successful Investingby Burton G.

https://www.benefits.va.gov/warms/pam26_7.aspI believe your question is fully answered in chapter 3 or chapter 7.

I am reading BP's book "Rental Property Investing" and got to chapter 13 on financing.

See Chapter 83 Part II.

I have a guy (with 4 yr son) whose background checks indicates 700+ credit score, stable federal job (3X salary vs rent) for last 8 years, good references from past 2 landlords BUT had chapter 7 bankruptcy that was discharged in 2013. 

Run by Jane Garvey they meet in Lombard and are a Chapter of the National Real Estate Investors Association.

I'm up to the chapter on finding a solid real estate agent, which inspired this message on BP!

Right now I am thinking about multi family homes that provide good cash flow and slowly moving up, basically using plan 1 from THe Book on Rental Property Investing, chapter 3.

Not sure if you'll be in town, but there is a meet up in Long Beach next week that you might be interested in.Out of State Apartment Investing Mastermind - Long Beach Chapter, Tue Aug 14 at 06:30PM

I am super excited for the next chapter in my life and real estate is most definitely in it.