But going back to the first house you had for $1500 keep your payment at $1500 and invest that extra $1000 you make and build assets... you have to live and spend on living so it’s better to buy a house but don’t buy a house that will stretch your finances that you dig yourself deeper in the hole.

Find out what calls to you, and what works given what you can put in to this (time, money, and/or effort).Once you figure out what works for you, dive in and don’t look back.

It seems small commercial (5 - 50 units) loans not only require experience these days, (which I can lend on the rehab and Property Management end) but Deeper Pockets as well.

you need to build your projections based on actuals and info you have then dig deeper, find everything, search the cracks and factor it into your numbers and analysis. partner up on your first couple i suggest

DM me so we can dive into some details.

I think most of these LOC are probably asset backed.you can stack up credit cards .. although if you max them out your fico is going to dive so your refi could be tougher or interest rate higher. 

Once you move dive into the real estate groups.

I've worked with several contractors/maintenance companies in Abilene and would be happy to talk to you about who I used/liked if you find yourself needing recommendations (although I'm sure you may have some ideas of your own since you lived there for a while).I'm brand new as well and gobbling up as much information as I can - currently reading some of the Bigger Pockets ebooks with plans to dive into David's BRRRR book next.

I found Bigger Pockets pretty quickly after starting my online research into real estate and rental properties, and have been diving in via the podcasts and ebooks to build up my education.

It will give you a chance to dive deeper into different types of real estate investing, figure out what you really want in the short and long-term, and build your savings enough to allow you to take action.