My raise and any commissions will all be going into whatever savings vehicle I choose.

I'm sure there are many ways to structure this kind of arrangement but it's just another suggestion that shouldn't cost you much and will get your message in front of more people than just using your own vehicle.  

Is real estate investing a vehicle to follow another dream or passion in life?

I have no idea how effective that is, but at the local REIA meetings I went to all year last year there were always 1 or 2 vehicles parked in the lot with the ads on them.

The real estate melt-down in 2008-2009 necessitated my unretirement...After looking for some other way to rebuild my retirement portfolio I have circled back to real estate as my vehicle of choice.

The real estate melt-down in 2008-2009 necessitated my unretirement...After looking for some other way to rebuild my retirement portfolio I have circled back to real estate as my vehicle of choice.

You are going to pay an extra 3.9% on investments outside of tax-sheltered vehicles (since Obama now considers you rich).Unfortunately, there's no way for real estate to lower your taxes.  

Personal loan against vehicle or other asset 

If you meant more like what vehicle, I'm going to focus first on low end fix and flips and maybe do a house hack too.

The Reit or whatever investment vehicle that part does not matter as the principle is the same regardless.