I have a little bit of background in web design so putting together a site for each property is something I could theoretically accomplish, but it seems that it would be very time consuming to start from scratch for each property.

The rehab, especially for newbies, finds that it's not so easy, as cheap, is more time consuming and a financial drain, the solution is often moving in. 3.

@Ben Leybovich Ever so modest...

Granted, you could loosen your list criteria to increase the numbers, however I'd be happy with the modest and manageable list.

Here are some of my favoritesBigger Pockets - truly the best RE podcasts out therePlanet Money - general economics podcastThis American Life - variety of storiesRFI Journal en Francais Facile - French news showIn Our Time with Melvyn Bragg - discussion of various topics and historyFreakanomics - always something interesting on hereDave Ramsey - helped me to avoid consumer/car debtThe Moth - crazy entertaining stories

Perhaps it is difficult for a lot of people to think of real estate as a business rather than a product they consume.

Consumer protection was the reason.

Jason- your question is fascinating...who is more stable:- Home owner, day job, bank loan on house, basic savings and 401k, standard consumer debt.- Investor with 10 properties leveraged to the hilt, day job.- Investor with 10 properties free and clear- Management Fund, 30,000 houses, stock share holders, FTC regulation and thousands of employeesI am striving to become the second (free and clear land lord)...I argue that so long as investors don't over-leverage we will prevent another bubble and crash.

Even assuming she gets her full 3k/month pension she is on track to make a modest 48K/year in retirement (36K from pension, 12K from money at 4% withdrawal rate).

One is purely financial & the other is emotional personal preference.If you were to make purely a financial decision, you would unemotionally look at the rates of return associated with each decision.I like that you are looking to pay off your consumer debt.Paying off a 18% credit card is equivalent to a 18% return on your money.Same with paying off a 4% mortgage.What is the rate of return of your $150k down payment buying your dream home?