I say that I am a semi-newbie, because I already have one rental property (which was a condo I used to live in), and I think I have made all the mistakes possible with it.  

I'm thinking about doing this myself w/ my retirement funds and also trying to convince my semi-retired dad to do the same. 

I have been involved on the backoffice side of a rehab in Indianapolis, IN working from San Diego.My ultimate goal is to buy and hold (with probable rehab in the middle) for positive cash flow…semi passive income (you can never truly get 100% away from the working end of things.)

I'm pretty similar to Jon Klaus - BA in History, 1 year of semi-seminary :) Weird!

I thought I was already being semi-creative with the financing but I guess I was too naive.

The wife, my tenant, left in a semi with the kids and all the furniture to another state. 

After the $500 of operating costs, you net $500 per month which is a 12% annual return and you still have to worry about managing your property manager (a semi-passive investment, not passive).Now let’s take that same $50k and loan it to a local experienced rehab flipper.

Joe was VERY nice on the phone (after many rounds of phone tag as he travels the states in semi retirement).  

Manitowoc has always been a semi depressed market.  

A semi pro baseball team with a good pro pipeline There are several businesses are coming to town within the next few years that are expected to bring a lot of jobs and income.