Alternatively, renters can pay with a credit card, debit card, or Google Pay for a 2.75% fee."

I think the best alternative (as most things that require capital deployment) comes down to an evaluation of what the expected ROI is likely to be once a decision has been made.

Your maintenance costs will be higher in the long run, due to your maintenance team having to move from house to house to complete repairs, move tools, move trucks and personnel.C.

Also most multifamilies never show interior pictures on listing.Should I keep on trucking?

That is, if the stock market tanks again, I'd like to have an alternate source of income that is largely independent of that. 

I'm an attractive alternative to a cash partner who is going to steal 50% of the equity of deal, for providing the same level of service. 

I hear all the time how a lot of wholesalers got started with zero out of pocket and went from living in the back of their truck to amassing a fortune!

I started using social media as an alternative to the more expensive online mediums and tools before it became known as social media.

These are useful and important to real estate agents and brokers, but they are not core skills needed to be a successful real estate investor.So, yes - a real estate license is nice to have; It can save you money on commissions, give you an alternative income stream (as an agent), and give you access to the MLS.

Good day Bigger Pockets Community,I have do have a current scenario I wish to receive feedback on please (see below).I'm brand new to the community and to real estate investing.I recently stumbled onto this website and have be drawn in as I'm looking for alternatives to working for someone else and the traditional work hard and save mentality.I recently (after hearing in many podcasts) listened to the Rich Dad Poor Dad audio book and was blown away.I now realize that there are other ways.My mind is busy with possibilities but in the short term I plan on learning as much ongoing, getting involved with either bird dogging and or wholesaling hopefully evolving to flipping and or buy and hold in the eventual future.I started to make some contacts with contractors and a possible hard money lender just thru casual conversations.It's exciting, but I know I have alot to learn.I own a home in San Jose, CA and wonder about leveraging the possibilities of the equity I've built.Here are some numbers.Owned for 15 years2Bedroom 1Bath with a 2nd story loft 1090sq ftI Owe $290k on 30yr mortage at 3.375%Owe a non-bank 2nd to my mom for $13.8k at 3.375%Estimates on Zillow $550k and Trulia $623kI was wonder about trying to time this market.Robert Kiyosaki and others talk about a nearing market crash.In hindsight (and we know what they say about that) I could have sold in 2007 for these current prices and entered back in 2009ish at a vast discount.I considered selling back then and now see the opportunity that was missed.Appreciate insights.