Hi Everyone - I've been investing in stocks for years but I'm new to the real estate game.  

Feel free to give me a buzz if you want to chat about how we structure things.Remember, the game changes greatly when you can do houses with 100% other people's money.

@Alexandra Gortchilova you might want to consider crowdfunding platforms as an opportunity  to get into the money lending game.

Since this is a numbers game, the only way you can answer the question is to do the following:Establish a relationship w/ a realtor winning to run some comparables for you showing the potential value if you convert from a 2 flat to a singleIf the values are not significantly hire than your mortgage then hold on to it as a 2 flatIf the values are significantly hire than your mortgage then get some estimates for converting from a 2 flat to a single.  

Of #1-3 I prefer #1&2 over #3 as I feel the provider has more "skin in the game" and their compensation is better aligned to yours as the passive investor.

insurance policy is a good way to go.I have been in this game for 40 years and never even came close to sniffing a lawsuit from a tenant.. but of course the very day I say this you get sued..

Spend time on the forums to get a solid grip on the real estate game.

That changes the game a lot...you don't want to move somewhere of course that you hate just for the sake of being able to invest there.

Title III will be a game changer in the real estate space for smaller projects.  

It sounds like you have a solid game plan and are ready to put the rubber to the road.