Self directed IRA & 401k plans are very much a niche product, but there is a community of advisors who really understand the concept and can help you out.

I'm working my way through my long reading list taken from BP, some are to be expected, some I had never heard of.Rich Dad, Poor Dad -- good inspirational, big picture book but basicThe unofficial guide to real estate investing -- helpful for understanding some of the concepts of  and  real estate vocabulary buildingThe four hour work week -- not one of my favorites but like the philosophyThe One Thing -- great book on focusing on the things that matter and create results and cutting out (or delegating) the things that don't. 

Cost me about $99.00, and I plan to take it once more....just to get all the concepts.  

As above, the price-to-rent ratio is very low in markets like CA and NYC.The concept you are looking at is Cap rate, which basically describes what your potential yield would be on an investment if you paid all cash.

Will you clarify more on this concept for a newbie?

I also tried Cabinets to Go, liked the concept, but had a horrible experience with partial, delayed and then damaged delivery.

Under the concept of 'Occupier's Liability' the landlords were found liable and shared liability 50/50 with the tenant of a total of $265,000 in damages.

To get there, let’s revisit a concept most of you are probably familiar with, but also probably don’t think about very much.  

See this Wall Street Journal article, for instance: http://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB100014240527023...

You would then do a reimbursement via Transfer Funds electronically in your bank website and record a journal entry "due to/from xxxx" account.it's less of an hassle and this is how I do it for the companies I worked for.