@Brent Seehusen, you're right about the lack of diversification, especially with the marketplaces that underwrite direct investments.

I also have a flip property that is languishing from lack of attention. 

I talked to banks and they will not finance due to lack of history in real estate.

I also am a big fan of Roberts and his books rich dad poor dad as they teach you what it means to have a financial education something that is lacking in today's world .

The problem with that is I am lacking the knowledge and experience to make it happen.

I agree - good reading.The lack of financial education we get in America is part of the problem.

Lack of Communication.

Here's another related article pertaining to the Portland, OR area: http://www.oregonlive.com/front-porch/index.ssf/20...My family moved away from the Portland area because of the high rents and lack of availability, fwiw...several of my friends are doing the same. 

I don't want to be blindsided by a high class investor who would take advantage of my lack of knowledge to make him more rich and make me worse off than I currently am, which I know happens all too often. 

Agreed on the lack of correlation between interest rates and house prices, but I do suspect rising interest rates will cause the demand curve to shift left, while the supply curve shifts right.