I think the trend will swing back from renting and group psychology about "rising real estate values" will kick in just as it did 10-15 years ago.Yes I think we should keep buying to get more pieces on the board (boats in the water to rise), but completely disregard any potential appreciation both in terms of our return calculations and psychologically (in other words, don't get caught up in the coming "real estate boom" psychology and buy marginal properties or cash flow negative properties expecting appreciation).That may mean doing fewer deals but it's a price I'm personally willing to pay.There are also some broader economic issues which could throw in some systemic risk and gum up the works, such as Russia-Ukraine, the Chinese economy, the European economy (and some of its weaker members like Greece), etc.So in my mind I think there are three possible scenarios: 1) 1/3 likely to have steady good growth in RE values (scenario of U.S. economy continuing to do reasonably well but little/tepid real wage growth), 2) 1/3 likely to have another boom (scenario of U.S. economy doing very well and finally having real wage growth for the first time in a long time), and 3) 1/3 likely to have the train get derailed by external factors such as the world economy, some kind of war, etc.In all of those scenarios it seems to me that good, cash flowing properties will be good to have.

However most 401k plans do have a least one index fund that follows the S&P 500 or a broader index.

I would also take the time to network like crazy, so that when you have the capital and want to pull the trigger again, you will have a broader base of potential deal sources.Andy

generally speaking, the fees for a checkbook IRA LLC are higher than one would recommend specifically for metals holdings, but if you have broader portfolio goals, it can be a means to an end.And yes, there is an awful lot of snake oil in the gold business.

Real estate is a lot of fun and the more you learn, the broader your horizon will become. 

It may be better to understand what it means to be an investor in the broader sense.  

I did not realize the broader protection that the inspection contingency provides.

I go as far as to state my broader intentions for the whole area.Matter of fact, I have a seller sending me copies of other less personal mailings that he received but did not respond to.Welcome to Bigger Pockets and happy hunting!

Would have a MUCH broader financial education, and prospects in AND outside of real estate.  

This is why I posed the question to reach broader audience.