@Adam Abdullah  Maybe you approach it differently... with a business plan. and you ask your dad to be your partner in a new business your creating and the business happens to be RE... instead of the thought of him just investing in RE like he invests in stocks.Also you might want to get your RE license so you can prove to him you have a modicum of education regarding real estate..

My goal is to help my parents with retirement, help loved ones through educational costs, and work towards alleviating my own debt.

Here's some reading to educate yourself on the different rates.  

Welcome to the site @Emmanuel Jeanty Bigger Pockets is the most innovative and educational site available to learn about real estate investing.Wishing you the best!

There are plenty of people who will walk you through the business for free -- read the education section of our beginner's guide for more info -- http://www.biggerpockets.com/ubgGood luck.

We, as well as our wives, have recently stepped up our efforts in our real estate investing education, and look forward to making our first deal as a team.

Pay them fairly and educate them as to how to handle their own finances and make wise investments to increase their wealth.

They are not educated or do not care to be educated. 

Find a strategy that you love, educate yourself on it consistently, and surround yourself with people who are already doing it.

For the check lovers and my less educated tenants (the money order crowd) I went to  www.Ipn.intuit.com and invoice them via email each month, it is .50  a transaction.