Contrary to most of the BP community, stocks are great IF you don’t want leverage and you actually know what you’re doing.Since you majored in engineering physics, I’d highly recommend seeing if your employer would pay for a part-time online masters degree in your choice of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science.

At the time I was a broke graduate student, living in frozen midwest of Canada, studying for a career in science, and simultaneoulsy planning a way to escape the ensuing 9-5.

@Richard M Rajchel - putting a good CMA together is part art and part science - in any case it is something that requires practice and you get better at if you do it a lot.

This isn’t a perfect science but typically if a condo or property is deeded to an LLC or corporation there’s a good shot that’s an investment property.

I would listen to the BiggerPockets Podcast 307:The Science Behind Setting and Achieving Big Goals (http://biggerpockets.com/show307).

I am fascinated by the possibility of concrete home construction options.

Mainly, the systems implemented are fascinating (VA, automated offers, etc.)

One was on assisted living homes and it was fascinating how the investor dove into his first one by turning a large home into a 10-bed assisted living facility.

I have a degree in computer science and my W2 income allows me to save at a pretty good rate so I can invest and still have money left for other things.Aside from that, if you have the capacity and discipline to focus, study, learn, and ask clear and concise questions, then you can learn real estate and do well.

It's more art than science, but here are some considerations:Landlording Climate - I'm a buy-and-holder, so I'm looking for markets that are landlord-friendly.