I am stuck between a few paths and would like some advice on what you think I shoud do with the $50,000.So there is no shortage of homes in my area that are possible candidates for the buy and hold strategy.

I'm really interested in understanding the power of "Other peoples money" I've been seeing and reading that there is NO shortage of money you just have to find it.When pitching to private lenders is it a smart path to present it to Self directed IRA holders..

But on positive note, with that high end renovation I had no shortage of offers.

BTW, I lived not far from Naperville in Westmont and can tell you that the housing stock in your area presents no shortages of opportunities as there are so many old homes in great locations near Metra stations that need to be renovated and will sell for top dollar once they have a modern floor plan and nice finishes.  

As far as finding renters DFW has no shortage right now.

Not many multifamily units have been selling I believe because there is such a shortage of housing and rents are at a historical high (there is a large and growing university in town).I understand that comps are the main determination.

There are no shortage of homes on the MLS that RE agents list as bedrooms that don't meet the egress requirement (most often those in the basement level).  

We have a tremendous shortage of skilled construction workers in the U.S.

They had a shortage of inventory before we did.

So combine 1) housing shortage with 2) lots of people who needs housing but can't qualify for a mortgage and you get a situation where a tenant will pay 2 X times 'mortgage' (in this case I am saying PITI to be really clear about the 'hard' financial carrying cost of property.I am not saying that I know that there are 1.5 x properties in Albany.