I am passionate about real estate and own three properties that I’ve fixed and am holding.

I do have a bias here since I have wholesaling incorporated into my business, so I know firsthand why there are people who are passionate in their views towards wholesalers.

For me wealth is the ability to pursue your passions without having to worry too much about earning a big enough paycheck.Though whether that happens at 5k a month or 20k is an individual matter. 

Deep down inside, I still have the passion to make that a reality today.  

.- Do not focusing on money to much,  I don't want to miss my life now- live with dreams reached now or in near future, without waiting when I would be 60 and can afford anything- In progress:- be healthy, and never stop education- find same minded friends who like to be educated , sport interests and passion with RE. - buy what ever me and my wife wants- travel any time we want- rise capital enough to buy dream house ~3m- buy 82' boat ~2m- rise kids and give them the best education as possible (not just prestigious but education that gives knowledges)

What an interesting conversation with great contributions from everyone, especially for somebody who's passionate about investing in both real estate and the stock market like myself.The reality is that I can write a phD thesis that will demonstrate that real estate is the better investment using a given set of data and arguments and I can write another phD thesis that will demonstrate that the stock market is the better investment using a different set of data and arguments.I think it's fair to state that, in general:- Stocks will give you a higher return on an unleveraged basis;- If, like most people, you buy stocks on an unleveraged basis and real estate on a leveraged basis, real estate will give you a higher return unless interest rates are (very) high;- If you leverage both, stocks will give you the highest return but leveraging stocks is very risky for most people, especially those who don't master real estate investing.You don't necessarily have to choose between the two though.

How you invest, or your plan, should be analytical and also passionate.

The one thing I believe most succesful posters here on BP share is a 'passion' for the entire process.Your mileage may vary, but in the meantime may all the gurus please move on to the 'next big thing' and quit polluting the waters.

You totally have it- it's a process, and usually not a speedy one.You are lucky to have discovered your passion for RE in your 20s.

I'm no country fan but I like the soul and passion in that one.