In this case you're spending $600 on the mortgage and another $500 monthly on upkeep (maybe a little less if you're self managing).

Your profession can be a source of private money through self directed IRA's.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthereCheck out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

Work with a broker who will actually teach you notes (rare because they usually teach what they want you to know in dealing with them) another way is to self study by looking at various brokerage sites, talking with other investors and reading the note forums, the last way is to pay some guru who may take you down a path of showing you some method that is often expensive.To my knowledge, there aren't any "note schools" or education programs that do not have some vested interest in how you do things or where you invest......that may change soon.Non-performing loans can be worthless.

If Verizon is like AT&T you might be able to access retirement through self directed IRA's giving you an endless supply of private money.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthereCheck out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

Run the numbers on both of the scenarios and show her the long term impacts and I'm confident you guys can make a logical decision.

Hey Jonathan, with your encouraging words and kind smile, I can feel my confidence level on the rise.

Better if you self manage.

They have self help legal books on LLCs and other entities.

I think buying a multifamily and getting my feet wet will help me feel more confident in my decision making abilities.

Is what I'm doing really what I want or is it just so I can fit in and be "normal" this book opened up my eyes to see what I really want and that is to be self efficient and to be free, from all the restrictions society has put on all of us.