Secondly, I started investing around the same time and thank God I didnt lose my shirt.  

It's like getting the keys to the kingdom.

I like real estate for the opportunity that it provides.Some of my investor buyers for my listings have multiple stock accounts they pull from to purchase real estate.Personally I like real estate because it is a tangible asset.I don't like the idea of paper to be worth 100 one day and 10 cents the next.At least with a property barring and act of God or some other strange occurrance I will have a tangible asset to sell.I know some will say but if you bought at the height of the market you would be upside down on that tangible asset.I didn't buy anything back then.I saw many people laughing and making money refinancing and to be honest I did feel like maybe I was missing out.I waited on now I am so glad that I did because many of those same people laughing with joy are crying in pain.Stocks just like real estate is something that if you just dabble in it you can lose everything.The sexy part of stocks just like real estate is to make money quick but many more lose than win.The losers aren't talked about much but the few winners are pumped up to sell marketing and courses to extract money from the herds.For my honeymoon years ago we went to Tennessee.While there my wife had an adverse reaction I think to the make up used at the wedding (she has sensitive skin).So we went to a local doc.This guy was really nice but old in his late 80's.We started chatting up and he said it was just a reaction to something and gave her a shot.I talked about real estate.That's when he said him and his wife had put all of their retirement in Enron stock and had it for awhile then BOOM the bottom fell out and they lost everything.He had to come out of retirement and open a practice again in his late 80's to make ends meet.That scared the hell out of me and made me stay away from stocks.I might eventually buy a small amount for a long term hold but I am not into risk with stock market.I have seen too many people see big dollar signs with their eyes and lose their shirts.

And there is no way on God's green earth that I'm putting money into anything that I have to fly to.

God Bless

I definitely agree with the paper trail idea - your occupancy will be proven by things like bills being sent there (God forbid it really came to something serious), rather than if your toothbrush was used that morning in the bathroom, you know? 

That's something you won't find me saying ever, but I like to think I am not a troll, and conversely, who is to say trolls are not creatures of God too?

Good find brother and God speed.

But I will not castigate you since you may not not about this guru stuff.....with $7k, you could well be on your way to acquiring your first investment property....That said, there are tons of materials on this site to educate and equip you for the journey ahead.Get into the Eductation section, immerse yourself in the podcasts, webiners, forums.....learn all you can and ask questions.....Folks in this site are wonderful and they love to help and share information..just ask....On a good note, do not be discouraged; consider the $8k a part of the lesson learned on your way to success......one day, you will tell the success story; lookd back and thank God you are on this site....my one cent..

God bless!!!