After going through the crash as a full-time investor, I'm not sure that I want to be there again unless/until I have a much better base of operations (positive cash-flow properties and PLENTY of cash and/or lines of credit to weather a storm).

Not all land contracts allow early payoff.Your equity position coupled with halfway decent credit, I hope, should be enough to qualify you for a loan.

So far, and without even finishing the course yet, it has been nothing but a positive pursuit.

Having patience goes a long way - feeling like you HAVE to have a specific deal will put you in a bad position at the bargaining table...you should always be willing to walk away.

It took her 6 months to find an entry-level position, sort of in her field.

They would have required the same satisfaction in order to insure the Greenpoint mortgage was in first position.

However, I believe I can generate a positive cash-flow of $300-$400 a month on the duplex which makes it seem a bit safer to me.

I am looking for a single-family home or a duplex with positive cashflow for my first property.

It is now rented and I have a positive cash flow.

Both of your backgrounds put you two in a great position to get into REI.