Instead of having to file interest income yearly, (next year I may be a non-resident alien, may not be going back to USA), would like pay and to report all gains and interests for tax year 2017.  

You will not be paying any taxes on the first $500K (as a married couple) on gains anyways. 

Another tactic would be to invest in a fund that has residential debt as its primary asset class, this way you are a passive investor along side other investors and your funds are spread across multiple assets which helps to spread out the risk.

You’ll gain experience by talking to sellers (basics) then focus on becoming a better negotiator.

The main takeaway I have gained after reflecting on last summer is that 1) chasing money alone will not work in this business, and 2) that it cannot be done alone, instantly just like that, just after reading a few books or taking an online course.  

As you gain knowledge and experience you can bite off more.

Thanks again for taking the time to put together BP, it is the best tool for real estate I have found so far.Hi Brynn, pleased to meet you.Decide which kind of investor you want to be (SFR, Commercial, Land, Tax Liens, Passive, HML, Multi-Family, Notes, Fix & Flip, Buy & Hold, “Subject To”, apartments, duplexes, assisted living, REOs, Foreclosures, Short Sales), etc.

Hello BP,    I am a newbie currently dedicated to REI full-time in the Sacramento area with goals of becoming an expert RE investor, while gaining financial stability and time freedom.

Then when you PCS from Ft Bragg you can turn it over to PM and use it as a rental.I have known several NCOs and Officers that purchased a SFH at each of their duty stations; handed them over to PM and finished their 20 years with two sources of passive income.Highly suggest you look at the southern pines area if there are any deals; that is where you find the majority of the higher BAH earners going.Airborne!!!

@Chris Seveney Perhaps he is seeking to passively invest (no management function) in real estate in Alabama...