What the seller is not informed of is that his whizbang wheeler dealer doesn't have two nickels to rub together, has no credit to obtain a loan and, doesn't even have that partner or alternative available to sell the property when the contract was made.

When the equity markets get rattled and investors fear a lack of good alternatives, you see a flight to quality (safety) into things like gold and U.S.

Currently putting in a $40,000 alternative septic system in.Caveat - seller is paying for 30k of it, and I knew about it and calculated it in before purchase...

What is the best alternative?

Buy and hold and you get better tax treatment.

I have only been at this for a few years now and need insight from some long time landlords to know if this is a bad idea or an alternative that is actually ok?  

I've even included a series of exit strategies as an alternative to my planned primary buy and hold one.

The guy regularly gets expensive and lavish treatment from people wanting to convince him to invest in their projects.  

Many are starting to install propane as the alternative.  

Self directed IRA & 401k plans are about having different choices to diversify your retirement savings into alternatives such as real estate - but that retirement savings is very much bundled up in the tax code so as to be reserved for your post 59 1/2 future.