James,I appreciate your input, as I am sure you are well aware nothing is easy getting started in real estate investing.

I just purchased a property in Lexington and I'm looking for a real estate investing aware lawyer who can help me do two things:1.

It's a war zone, so I decided to quit going by cap rates altogether (not very useful). 

So if you plan to raise money in order to buy a bunch of notes, be aware that you are selling securities and must comply with both federal and state securities laws.

I'm aware that depending on your location and exposure level to investing, everyone starts differently.

If you are holding them for your own purposes (and do not plan on refi-inf them at any point) it's less of a worry or selling to cash buyers who are aware of the type of deed they are being sold and costs associated with it.....then to each their own.

As you are aware, if you closed the account you would be hit TWICE; 1) on gains, employer contributions, & interest and 2) on early withdrawl penalty. 

Be aware of your status buying in a country.

Portland population is about 800k and basically always growing. at least since i became aware of the PDX market circa 1992.. 

He advised I do that over an actual "escrow " account because of issues with tenants going to a third party escrow account holder and deceiving the account holder into paying them the escrow without the landlord being aware...