If this is your first deal, I would strongly recommend buying a small multifamily while also living in one of the units and renting the others. 

I strongly believe that holding onto the "9-5" for as long as I did has actually cost my RE business money and growth potential. 

Near Gannon, there are many restaurants in old 1800's buildings, a city park that hosts special events, a convention center with flagship architecture, a community playhouse that performs Broadway plays, the Warner Theater which hosts various performers and the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra, an art museum, a civic center that is home to the Erie Otters (ice hockey) among many other events, a ball field that is home to the Erie Seawolves (minor league team), and a Starbucks on 5th and State St.

I strongly suggest that you spend some time learning at least the basics before jumping in.

This makes it very secure [more than wall street] for them.All of my lenders enjoy strong double digit annual returns and only spend a few hours a year [making wire transfers] to realize this profit.Yes, I am biased when it comes to RE or Wall Street - but ponder this and you'll see why:  We all know bankers are some of the most penny pinching individuals on the planet, right?  

It's great to see people in the area, I'm a strong believer that there is power in numbers.

And since that time I have taken steps to get better acclamated with the field through means of education.As of this Summer, I will be completely done with my Associates in Construction Project Management, and have decided to further my education in Architecture in the Fall!

And since that time I have taken steps to get better acclamated with the field through means of education.As of this Summer, I will be completely done with my Associates in Construction Project Management, and have decided to further my education in Architecture in the Fall!

I don't know the selling rules with these guys, but a private REIT does not have a strong secondary market so you're going to be tied up for a long time.  

If you haven't already I would strongly recommend reading the education guides available at BP.