Here are some of my favoritesBigger Pockets - truly the best RE podcasts out therePlanet Money - general economics podcastThis American Life - variety of storiesRFI Journal en Francais Facile - French news showIn Our Time with Melvyn Bragg - discussion of various topics and historyFreakanomics - always something interesting on hereDave Ramsey - helped me to avoid consumer/car debtThe Moth - crazy entertaining stories

Perhaps it is difficult for a lot of people to think of real estate as a business rather than a product they consume.

If I were to take my cash and buy rental properties, I could probably generate 15-20% annualized returns working fewer than 5 hours/week.

Consumer protection was the reason.

Jason- your question is fascinating...who is more stable:- Home owner, day job, bank loan on house, basic savings and 401k, standard consumer debt.- Investor with 10 properties leveraged to the hilt, day job.- Investor with 10 properties free and clear- Management Fund, 30,000 houses, stock share holders, FTC regulation and thousands of employeesI am striving to become the second (free and clear land lord)...I argue that so long as investors don't over-leverage we will prevent another bubble and crash.

One is purely financial & the other is emotional personal preference.If you were to make purely a financial decision, you would unemotionally look at the rates of return associated with each decision.I like that you are looking to pay off your consumer debt.Paying off a 18% credit card is equivalent to a 18% return on your money.Same with paying off a 4% mortgage.What is the rate of return of your $150k down payment buying your dream home?

Knock out your consumer debts and don't incur more.

That way I'm more hands-off and with fewer headaches.Good luck!

If you put money up front require they have a surety bond for your job especially if it is big bucks, ask for liability and workers comp insurance certificates, check their license out, use a company that is registered at the Secretary of States office and check their standing, also Attorney generals office is making alot register for consumer protection these days.

I am a new investor in Fort Worth, Texas.I have a background in Residential Construction, Consumer Finance, Retail Banking, and currently am a partner in a Land Service Company in the Oil and Gas Industry (I am a Landman).I purchased my first property in July, did the rehab and put a tenant in it just under a month from closing.