It’s a straightforward way to access the funds, though keep in mind that interest rates may be higher since it’s a rental.Alternatively, you can consider a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit), which gives you flexibility by letting you borrow against the equity as needed, similar to a line of credit.

Commercial real estate offers many exciting opportunities, from brokerage to development, acquisitions, and even REITs.

Now THEY have the upper hand and YOU are the motivated one, and thus they expect you to offer more for their house (because you are relentlessly and "genuinely" showing genuine interest right?

Its amazing how she thought she is "offering" me a deal, take it or leave it.

You're in the right mindset, and you’re already ahead just by thinking about securing your family's future.

Thinking of just having my guys just down the hill help me out, it might be worth the drive to them to make a bit more per square foot then what I am being quoted by the locals in Truckee.

Originally posted by @Bradley Sriro:Does anyone else see a problem with being requested to pay for a consultation in advance?

Best advice I can offer is to focus on  buying well situated real estate in markets with strong fundamentals.

Start by reading the Ultimate Real Estate Investing Guide: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides/ultimate-real-estate-investing-guide/introduction2.

This is because Mortgage backed securities are in direct competition with investors looking for "safer" investments backed by the full faith of the United States Government.