(that doesn't even deserve an answer) * How can I use real estate to make my dreams come true?

"He who hath the Gold makes the rules".As to what to invest in, I have stated time and time again that true wealth is made in the numbers.

You can spot a vacant house from two blocks awayYou have business cards of 114 painters and 345 carpet guysYou yourself have 4 different business cards!

I took his card, he gives free estimates.

Couldn't be more true.

ad in today's paperDuplex$35,000fully rented $450 and $490I said that's to good to be true as I'm dialing my real estate agent.

Further, we are assuming you have no down payment (if any of these things are not true, let me know and we will work them in during a future post).In 20 years you will have taken cash profits:$200 per month = $2,400 per year = $48,000you will have paid off the mortgage and now own the property free and clearWho cares what it is worth?

Yes this is true but you do have to account for the deduction amount when you sell the property, mind that is if you sell the property.

We have about 30K in low-interest (2%) student loan debt and 5k or so in credit card debt.

This is not true nor is it the proper order that a property gets listed as a short-sale.