Your best bet to learn real estate is to learn from someone that knows it.

Over the next 15-20 years, I so no reason I can't put 12 together like that...then consider selling and living off the proceeds...without being pressured or constrained by bank loans.I'm not looking to rule the world, or to be the next Donald Trump (who has been in and out of bankruptcy multiple times)- I'm looking to live life on my own terms...and I can do that by paying cash :)For every real estate guru out there telling you to make millions by leveraging, I'm willing to bet there are at least three others that have been in bankruptcy...and one of those three turn around and write books telling you how to get rich on real estate and end up making money that way instead...or they turn into a Dave Ramsey who makes money selling you on how to get out of debt.

Your best bet is to run a test ad on Craigslist or set out some bandit signs.  

Even if the answer was a begrudging "yes" then I bet they are happy they did.

Be patient, learn, and be ready when that winning Texas Holdem comes up.... and BET it. 

So okay, in terms of value, what is the best bet?

The fact is there are no sure bets.

I don't really enjoy asking for $ or trying to attain private financing.... so I felt like this is my best/easiest bet for financing my rehabs.

The popularity of the location is also a contributing factor.  

My past few years had activity related to previous employment that was a mix of W2 and K1 which confuses the banks and they just want to see two years of consistent rental income on my own returns.Your best bet is to get a HML lender and then refinance ASAP when you are done with purchase and rehab.