This means that in order to achieve value-add we have to actually bump revenues by means other than filling vacant units - we have to do the heavy lifting.

Think about what drove your last purchase: frugality, good value, status, art, compassion, health, comfort, athleticism, kindness, wealth, status, pursuit of wisdom, mastery, or achievement, whatever-- your TRUE values are always reflected in how you spend your money and your time.If you can figure out why you each make the choices you make regarding money and time, you'll be able to understand how you can invest in real estate AND meet both your own needs and your wifes' needs.

It was at this point in my journey (around February whilst staying in Amsterdam) that I discovered a man called Samuel Leeds and his financial freedom challenge.Samuel is the one who showed me how working as a full time property investor can allow one to achieve financial freedom.

Hi @Chris Desmond,Down payment assistance is an avenue that will help achieve your goal of home ownership.

One of the easiest mistakes newbie investors do is rent out a home they were living in as it just might be convenient to do so but maybe not be the best solution to what they are trying to achieve.  

I look forward to using real estate to achieve financial independence and provide a difference legacy for my 3 kids. 

I guess the question is, can I invest the 82k in real estate instead and achieve a net monthly cash flow of $1000?

Why not just keep it in the bank (or stocks, bonds, CDs, etc) and pull from it directly each month to achieve the same goal? 

Recently fired from my job, I would like to achieve financial freedom through REI.

@Michael Gil - Thats achievable in our market!