Would you put 30k into #1 and have a cash flowing small condo or put it into financing #2 and have much less cash flow but a more valuable asset?  

I usually consult an insurance company with high reputation so that I can have a more clear overview.

Best way to learn is to buy a low dollar performing loan or JV with a more experienced investor

A friend and former colleague suggested BiggerPockets as an early resource in beginning a more active path in real estate investing.

I also think everyone should use professional management so that they can start with a more businesslike mindset where you learn to effectively delegate and use services.

Obviously, it's a more risky strategy. 

In-house loans will sometimes require a more in-dept appraisal... but you should still be able to appraise it, no matter how unique it is.

I want to live in a more metro area, I've grown up in suburbia TN my whole life and would KILL to be able to bike/walk to a restaurant or bar from my house and Nashville is too expensive.

Therefore I am planning on either selling the property outright and taking the tax hit or doing a 1031 exchange for multiple properties in a more desirable market such as Dallas, TX or Atlanta, GA.

We typically only will even mess with a deal if all in costs are 70% to the ARV just to be conservative, sometimes on 80% if there are some other variables that make it a more solid deal, but from the time I initially made this post yesterday I’ve actually already gotten some strong leads come through from bastrop just off of the couple of signs we put out throughout the town.