However, when it comes to retirement account you should consider passive investment options such as private lending, investing in a syndication or private placement, buying a trust deed or investing in a note fund. 

If none of that works you may need Private Money or Hard money to get in but could possibly refi out in 6-12 months. 

You didn't ask about this, but be careful with putting private info like SSN in them, they are not very secure.

Private message me, if you do! 

I am now being approached by private money investors (friends and family) about investing.

There is also something to be said for having a hedge, some degree of diversification, as @Tara Wright has noted.I think you can find 5 or 6 really super proven flippers, right here in Houston or wherever you live, and go in with them as private lenders and probably outperform average returns from any mutual fund you might own. 

You could also look into hardmoney/private lending as I believe they have different requirements (I'm not too familiar with the process however so do your research!). 

I've already read the book on Raising Private Capital and am currently reading The Book on Rental Property Investing from the BiggerPockets book list.Although I'd be interested in trying to find deals in Charlotte, NC I'm also looking in Bay City/Saginaw/Midland area in Michigan as I still have connections there and the rent/property ratio, in general, is much higher at the moment. 

This is because sponsors aren’t allowed to advertise their deals—which is why the investments are also referred to as “private offerings” or “Real Estate private equity” (google those, too!).  

I've done a fair amount of background reading on the topic, but am looking for a lawyer with experience structuring real estate equity/debt deals to help me draft operating agreements and promissory notes as well as provide some guidance on my Private Capital strategy.Thanks in advance for the recommendations!