Instead of being limited to what a particular institution or advisor sells, you can invest in anything allowed by the tax code - which includes real estate.There is a lot of good information here on BP on the topic.  

And am I limited to how many I can do?

I currently have limited capital.

If you only have half an acre on the corner without assembling the parcels around you then you are limited on resale more.

BTW I do have experience in partnerships but only with myself and one other person and have limited experience with commercial lending but have used it in the past for a QSR I owned but not for RE.

The limit for you is going to be half of the value ($8,500).  

I started out in computer science but soon grew tired of working in a cubicle for limited money.

Actually limited service is preferred today, selling room nights is much more a real estate play than running the business of meeting space/restaurants etc.  

There is an issue with titles, circumventing foreclosure laws and equity limits established requiring a judicial route.

The limitation of capital gains on a personal residence.