Hey fellow investors,I wanted to reach out to the community for some advice on a potential real estate investment strategy I've been considering.To give you a bit of background, I currently reside in Southern California and am eager to dive into the world of real estate investing to secure a financial foundation for my retirement.

I would find an investor-friendly agent in the area you like and use them instead of an all-in-one shop for turnkey.You want to buy an appreciating asset more than cash flow.

I've been listening to the bigger pockets podcasts and I remember David Greene saying a few times that depending on your situation, if you can hang onto an appreciating asset even if it isn't quite cash flowing that it is sometimes a good move because appreciation builds wealth long-term and eventually rental rates will go up.

My question is whether it makes sense to keep the capital in the deal banking on it performing better long term and the retention of 5 percent of the deal after the waterfall as a long term asset, or if it makes sense to take the capital back and put it into my own deals (my partners and I are currently working on buying a hotel and I could use the capital to get myself equity and to help us close the deal).

That said, owner occupants are not business people and often don't make the best financial decision.

It also offers a tax deduction and is a homestead protected against most financial issues or non payment under a Chapter 13 law and a rental is basically a debt burden that if you cannot pay or something happens you get evicted.

The building is still being worked on but recent comps in the area seem to indicate we are in a good place financially.

Also nice because in the event you are forced to take back the asset, well, it's already on your property.

It depends on your financial strength, the quality of the property, how many properties you own, etc.I like to start with one significant expense and three months of vacancy.

Would consider a JV where I reap some of the financial rewards for helping her through the process and helping her secure the loan with my co-signature.