I have paid off student loans, my house, credit cards, car and have 100k that i would like to invest.

I would open up a few more credit cards.  

Then what happens on paper a property looks like a cash flows very well, then when you add in vacancies repairs and life in general, they end up having to start using credit cards to pay for things and get caught into that spiral To answer your original question most real estate investors are not buying a property every year.

I hope you can make me smarter in this regard. this is not correct -- a person, or parents of a minor, have to apply for the Soc Security card number. 

I worked in casinos dealing cards, while I don't have any type of security or police type background I grew some thick skin.

But they also have limitations: can't have a debit card, can't do mobile deposit, may or may not allow wire transfer.

Of course as nature of things the community of investors in my area that are investing in the US is small and no united network of investors exists.Couple of days back a large conference of investors took place and I mingled with everybody and handed out business cards and managed to assemble 20+- investors to open a REIA. 

Texas law provides significant protections for homestead properties against most creditors, such as credit card lenders or lawsuit judgments, such that your falling behind on payments will not cause you to lose your home.

Then open a new Google Sheet file, click Open and then select Upload.

I literally get a Christmas card from my Plumber - which tells me we are one of their bigger customers.