Roofstock is really interesting and I love the concept, the only problem I have with their site is much of their stock seems like it can be a gamble.

Any stocks/bonds/CDs/money market funds that can be easily liquidated3. 401k funds (you can borrow up to 50% or $50k) if you're currently under an employee-sponsored plan

This is not for everyone but its our plan, and we think it will work.Do accomplish this we need have about 7K a month in cash flow after all expenses and a healthy reserve of cash and stock investments outside our retirement accounts. 

I also have the option to pay it off early with out a penalty, so I pay an extra $100/ month and every two weeks instead of once a month, this making a full two extra payments per year that go straight to the principle.

We have cripplingly low rent/value ratios, we have plenty of new stock coming in (check out  Long Island City).

In effect, you get the principle reduction this way.2.

Only cash flowing $200/month, but I'm also knocking down the principle $500/month. 

I’ve taken a Real Estate Principles course that was offered and have a general understanding of RE just through my own self-education, but to gain even more insight I’m looking to become employed in an area that connects my Architecture knowledge with finance (so I will also have a better resume for applying for my MBA if I so choose later on).The closest route I have been thinking about is working for a construction firm – since there is typically more dialogue about the budget/financing than inside an architecture firm – but I wanted to ask you all what are the other best entry level positions for someone like me?

Typical I want my principle investment back in 12-18 months.

CAVEAT: I don't know what it takes to build, stock, research and run a mini-mart/gas station.