In the alternative, instead of funding a 529 plan, you could purchase a rental property now and use that to fund college.  

Never tried the crowd funding site.

Ken McElroy has some good books on multi-unit investing which it sounds like you are capable of doing with the funds you have available.  

I pay private lenders 10-18% Installment contracts and notes funded by equity are not the same as cash funded loans Ned, many states have 10% on these types of loans, some float with a stated index. 

Anyone heard of or dealt with a new program called "Funding for Flipping"?

One of my biggest problems, outside of finding funds for a down payment, is figuring out how to get around occupying the residence for the first year.

I am working with Streamline Funding out of Austin TX for my HML.I have my first property under contract and just finished the inspection.I will keep everyone posted on how things go.The reason for me starting this discussion is because, I have been apart of this forum for over a year and some of the questions I had about the estimated costs of getting your first deal started, were never answered.For example, Earnest Money ($2000), Inspection ($275), Appraisal($406), Closing cost($3000), having to put money into escrow for construction cost ($4000).This is all for a hard money loan.These are thing I am learning as I move forward.

Make sure it's not listed before you waste your time thinking you will get it under your contract.Do you have funding set up?

My clients who have built significant equity in their principal residences,  qualify to refi up to 80% and use that funds as down payment for 1 or 2 properties.

I have heard there are 1000 ways to go about this, but I am inexperienced and don't really know where to begin on looking for funding.