Firs things first, you need to go and talk to good mortgage broker like Kris or Ryan from http://www.krispedersen.co.nzsee what you can borrow first. you can email them them and feel free to mention my name. if you don't have cash to buy now, forget the US market and consider the Auckland market.It is a slower market now, with good opportunities, but still have Very good long term growth prospect, But not much cash-flow...you will be lucky to brake even!

So, I slammed on my brakes and saved myself from a t-bone collision. 

What they did is basically they intentionally hit the brakes when the economy is moving very fast. 

These people have Police RAP sheets bigger then you lawyer archive, for them to brake into your house and get arrested is like for you crossing street in unmarked location.

Is there other ways to brake into real estate investment?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/meggentaylor/2018/04/27/the-best-and-worst-cities-to-make-money-on-airbnb/#3375e7fb2aa7 Here’s a Forbes article that brakes it down by the numbers.

Dave Ramsey gives a lot of solid advice, but in many areas he teaching you to drive with the emergency brake on.

With what is going on in the world right now most banks have put the brakes on any equity loans or lines. 

If you are going to do any job, having the right tools sure makes it easier.closest I came to dying on a machine that moved.. including flying my own plane.. driving my own boat.. driving cars. etc etc.was the day I decided to mow our office lawn.. there was an old riding mower in the back .. normally we hire this stuff out of course.but I hop on that and back yard was going good then I decide to go out front and now I am heading for the street trying to figure out how to stop the thing I end up in the middles of the street with a car 3  inchs from me that braked and skidded to a stop..

Easy to upgrade to disk brakes and electronic ignition....or just keep your truck and maintain it :)I should also mention that I rely on public transportation and my own two feet when necessary and don't drive much (I also have a 2008 Chevy Malibu that I inherited...it has 23,000 miles on it).