Home prices relative to fundamentals 2014 Q2: -15%Home prices relative to fundamentals 2006 Q1: +43%Year-over-year change in asking price: May 2014: 4.4%Their methodology:To try to put numbers on it, we look at the price-to-income ratio, the price-to-rent ratio, and prices relative to their long-term trends using multiple data sources, including the Trulia Price Monitor as a leading indicator of where home prices are heading.

It's been a while since I did this because internet is widely available where I travel so take it with grain of salt and test it.I believe you can always print the web page into PDF format to read on your laptop, if you have PDF converter type of software.

CO alarm , they called the fire department at 2 am  and emailed me (the fire department explained it was a spider web).

Solution: Location is the fundamental in RE investment.

With the web, it helps us even more in this day and age to make informed decisions. 

A self directed IRA only changes how you can invest with an IRA, but the underlying fundamentals of the IRA being a tax-sheltered RETIREMENT savings plan are not changed in any way.There are methodologies such as a Substantially Equal Periodic Payment (SEPP) whereby you can begin taking distributions from an IRA prior to age 59 1/2 without the 10% penalty, but this is complex.Your question is best addressed to a CPA or CFP who can discuss your current income needs, earnings, age, and retirement income needs.  

Then I always go to their web site, and it is incredible how many times the CPA's site just lists the normal laundry list of preparing personal and business taxes, or the attorney's site emphasizes irrelevant litigation support, estate planning, and such with "Real Estate" as bullet #20 on the generic list of 30 "specialty areas".4) Ask investors and local REIA not only for referrals, but also ask what they have heard of your candidate if your candidate's name does not come up. 

I would like to start as a real estate investor and going through material available on this web site as well as book Millionaire real estate investment.

@Tony Rosa You are in the best place on the web for information.What do you want to do in the world of Real Estate Investing?

Just do a web search for this term for additional info.A hard money lender is an option.