Be an investor.For Education, Think Big and Broad - If you're like me, and in this case I hope you aren't, you received no formal business training in engineering school.

Casting too broad of a net can definitely result in paralysis by analysis.

Okay so Google, nor the internet thus far has been my friend.

I have seen some on the internet, but are being offered by real estate gurus....

Regardless, keeping score of market equity, and more broadly the balance sheet, makes all the sense in the world.

I just feel like the more I research on BP forum and on the internet, the more I am getting confused.

I found it 6 years ago before it sky rocketed.. been building new construction in the inner city by the cigar factory and over in Wagner terrace and a few big multi million dollar specs south of Broad.. if I was 20 to 30 years younger I would pull up stakes and move there .. great town great business town.. at least for what I do. 

No, unfortunately a lot of this is just not accurate.From the point of view of a passive investor in the deal: real estate crowdfunding is essentially the same thing as a syndication...except it's usually done over the Internet.

@Will Lotherington You will also have to pay for all utilities, add internet, cable or satellite (to do it right).You'll need to furnish it with good to nice furniture, provide consumables, sheets, towels, cookware etc.You will need to replace items as they wear out.You will need to clean the place after each stay or coordinate and pay someone else to do it.I think these cost will eat into or eliminate any potential profit over what a Long Term rental would bring in with much less effort.

Someone is told that they specifically can't refinance out of FHA, and the next day they're on the internet blogging about how "you" can't refinance out of an FHA loan.I'd suggest finding a local lender that'll plan this out with you using realistic assumptions that are particular to you, your financial picture, and your area.