Real estate is cash intensive, so jumping in can be difficult and can subject you to a large financial commitment.If you're having trouble pulling the trigger, I suggest getting a partner, not only for encouragement, but to lessen the financial burden/risk.

Renting by the room will usually make a little more money, but it's much more time-intensive (for one, you now have to collect a few hundred dollars from more people).

But for all intensive purposes of this thread..if I had 50k I would start with a single family, duplex or fourplex depending on how expensive your market is.

You respond and make piece end of the discussion those that get in trouble get bull headed and try to fight these little fights instead of just moving on and maybe giving the aggrieved tenant 500 bucks to go away that will usually do it :)Now if your a serial offender and have a big operation this is another story completely but for all intense and purposes some small time investor with a few homes to rent just does not fall into the category of deep pockets.

@Karol ChmaraHi KarolI am also looking intensely at STRs in Wisconsin.

The reason, super capital intensive, strict regulations that will lengthen the time the money is tied up, and importantly there is already very strong competition here.

Hotels might have shorter-term leases, more intensive management, and other inherent traits, but they're still considered a real estate investment.A liquor store would also be considered a real estate investment.

@Kim LeduffBuy right, then...I'd say pick a project that isn't too intensive that you can finish fast, so that you can BRRRR before anything happens.

The lien process is lengthy though and labor intensive. 

Wow that is intense.