My main goal here at BiggerPockets is to expand my network to include more like-minded individuals interested in making smart deals and having fun along the way. 

It's important to be smart about this because the SEC regulates lending, right?

Well, holding isn't out of the question if it's the smart thing to do.

to me, this is a very conservative and smart way to start, especially if you have no cash or very little of it.the KEY is to buy LOW.

Real estate investing is not easy.Also make sure you will make money on the property not by the potential appreciation, but more by purchasing the property under market value.Homes are declining in many areas right now and buying a home can be a good investment if you are smart with the purchase price.

The smart thing to do now is to pay off debts as quickly as possible and to start saving as much as possible.

Definitely,  @Jon Huber I have been reading up as much as I can understand, and I will start the podcasts once I fix my obsolete technology.

A bunch of folks will need to develop new skills and find new jobs.The optimists look to the past and claim that any time new technology has eliminated jobs, new ones are created and displaced workers take those.  

You get twice as much for both houses.Being conservative is great and smart, but paying off a rental property is bad investing.

- are we at the peak and smart money has gone farther east?