We've been able to learn from some mistakes, but have also really grown in our passion for educating ourselves in these fields in recent years.We have four young kids (ages 8 months to 7 years), so that keeps us fairly busy, but also drives us to put the work smart, hard, and right now.

Every investor's situation is unique, and the mix of available capital of both qualified retirement and non-qualified types, employment type and income, investing expertise, age, and goals will be just a few of the factors that one would need to consider when designing a strategy.A fee based certified financial planner would be the best resource for making strategic decisions.  

I'm looking at a single level, modest home marketing to the retirement age community in the $180,000 to $220,000 range.  

Good luck man I wish I was your age when I got started

We are the same age now!!

Although I am of retirement age, I am still working (federal employee) for the Navy in Information Technology. 

I've been talking up REI to my daughter who is about your age.

If I were looking for a PM and was interviewing you, if you knew landlord law in detail, I would consider you despite your age.  

Like I said, I'm 20 years old and even though I can have an educated conversation with some of the most high prestige investors in my area and nearly shock them with what I know and have set my focus on, the road to getting there is a long one for me (because of my age).

So, while buildings age and depreciate, it’s the appreciating land value that really counts.