Too much at risk to save a few $$.

Wall Street often doesn't highlight these options because they make money from the fees on traditional investments, but with a Self-Directed IRA or Self-Directed 401(k), people can take control of your retirement savings and invest directly into real assets if they wish.Here’s how it works:1.

The key is that they are lending their own money, not just originating loans for Fannie and Hedge Funds  like the big banks do.First Western Federal Savings in SDNorth American Savings Bank in MOTitan Bank in TX

So, you will want to live in the primary due to the fact that you are getting that 250K or 500K tax savings when selling. 

I live in Lehigh (save a ton of money that way) and I also own a single family rental in Lehigh that has great tenants. 

Purchase price: $290,000 Cash invested: $85,000Bought this 6 unit condo set utilizing a seller finance structure at 0%.

That being said, these deals are absolute cash cows. 

It's imperative to learn the numbers to get a realistic idea of cash-flow vs. selling. 

I've been sucked in lately, and been learning all I can; I'm 21 currently, with a goal to own 5 cash-flowing rentals by the time I'm 30.

Purchase price: $585,000 Cash invested: $73,000 Our first Airbnb Property, bought for $585,000 and has not appreciated much since we bought it.