But, how many others out there also like paper assets (equities, bonds, etc.)? 

You evaluate rentals on the cash flow you will get and any potential equity you can get by buying well.

Once our home sale goes through, we’ll have approx $75k in equity to use.

Try to get HELOC on this home if you are more interested to pull out the equity .

However, you would also gain equity, refinance it and take a partial cash out and use that as a down payment for another property.

I figured at some point, my cash an hand and equity will have been used up for numerous 20% downpayments. 

Looking for ideas on a Debt investment.I have $20,000 to invest in a debt fund or with partner. 8% + return, 6mo-2yr tie up.Prefer seasoned company with many successful deals to their credit.Non-Accredited, SDIRA acceptable.Thanksps: I am not looking at this time for anymore equity investments

After the sale, they can use the redemption period to get the home back but will have to pay the 25% which isn't always in their favor because of the possibility of the home getting bid up.

Factoring in the mortgage, I came out at $90.68 (526.27 Net Operating Income - $435.59 mortgage) as my monthly cash flow.So here are my questions:Am I correct in thinking that I can finance $100,000 to cover my cash in, and use the difference between the appraised value and the financed amount ($41,000) as the minimum 20% equity to stay in the property that is needed by the bank? 

Here's one more article that seems to favor stocks over real estate.Just want to make my intentions clear: I'm not trying to stir debate on whether index funds are 'better' than real estate investing.