Vallery, You can earn up to 12% depending on what quarter the redemption is on your entire bid amount.

After reading a few books on REI I feel it is time I get off the sidelines and get more out of the money I earn from my 9-5.  

This year after expenses the IFQ earned around $20,000.

After a few deals (and some money earned) he can start doing his own business. 

If you want to earn money over the course of a year or so I'd use index funds.

If you would be interested in owner financing the property, you could earn some income at very favorable rates.

-Training focus, look at how well the brokerage handles the two major areas of training: initial training (so you can earn an income) and ongoing training (so you can build and grow your business)

One thing that has been noted a couple of times is that property management is the key ingredient in your success. 

I have an itch to create a land based economy emulating models of others that have been able to earn $5/sq.ft. to $100,000/acre. 

He has been able to learn our system of the finding, funding, and flipping (but in this case lease optioning) and has earned money while doing it.