In the stock market everyone is generally using the same information, and while there are market inefficiencies that create opportunities, there is little that gives small investors an edge over the big players (hedge funds, mutual funds, and private equity).In real estate, the big players are simply not interested in the $200k investment because it won't even move the needle for their massive funds...it's not worth their time.

I'm hoping that the focus is only on our city, in the Sac group, as it is beneficial to hear about other areas in N.

I stand by my statements C class for the average busy professional that thinks they are buying something akin to a mutual fund is anything but passive.At least 50% of all foreclosures of these same C class houses that continue to go through the buy rehab foreclosure loop are coming from Investors that were sold on passive and turn key and they failed and walked away and that is just a fact..

What you can do is add your LLC as beneficial interest inside of a trust for added protection, but like anything else a corporation can expose its members fairly simply.

I analyze each investment from an all cash purchase perspective and would not consider anything that was less than 10% unless the location was strategic to my long term plan for some reason.An REIT is similar to a mutual fund in that you loose money in the management & advertising.

Now if you have a grant or some other kind of assistance where total cost to go to college is only a few k on your part after 4 years then having a paper to fall back on could be beneficial just in case.

(with hard work though, even buy and hold will give you lot's of tenant headaches).Read this blog by Brandon Turner, http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/07/19/quit-your-job-real-estate-investing/ it will be very beneficial to you.

Income: Net Earned: $55,200/yr ($4600/mo) Capital: Mutual Fund - $35,000 ($1800/yr in dividends) Passive: Property #1(Colorado Springs, CO) - 3br/2ba // Owe $160,000 // Recently Appraised for $190,000 // $1250/mo Rents // $900 Mortgage Payment (+$300 Cash Flow) HELOC $25,000 Property #2 (Sanford, NC) - 3br/2ba // Owe $180,000 // Estimated FMV is $200,000 // $1100/mo Rents // $1400 Mortgage Payment (-$300 Negative Cash Flow) Note: Both properties are former primary residences.

Which do you think would be more beneficial to a wholeseller who want to be more?

Plus, it may be more beneficial learn the basics and get a better understanding of things before you delve "deep" into any one specific strategy like a course would provide.