Here's one more article that seems to favor stocks over real estate.Just want to make my intentions clear: I'm not trying to stir debate on whether index funds are 'better' than real estate investing.

Company will be funded by next week, and I'll be looking at investments (I currently invest now with personal money).

This is the majority of my focus/portfolio, but I do also complete some fix-and-flips as well, mainly to raise capital in order to fund the purchase of rental properties.All types of investing include risk, real estate included (no matter the strategy).

I monitor the Houston forum, so I have read many of your posts - The primary theme I see in your posts is that you generously offer your time and expertise to new investors and allow a group of new or wannabe investors the opportunity to walk your flips and tag along with you while you are looking for or working on a project - very generous of you - I see that you were able to give an amazing opportunity to a new investor when she may have not had the confidence to move forward on her own without your guidance - I am a fan of collaborating with other investors when you do not have the funds to complete a project on your own ... it can be a win/win opportunity that otherwise would have to be passed up ......However, when I read the details in this post, a few things come to mind - it seems that you used very little of your own money ...$5,000?

At this point it doesn't seem to make sense to trying an get funded before the specified closing date in a few weeks, so we are looking to not move forward with the purchase.We are being told we can terminate our offer at any time we want, and get our earnest money back due to "not receiving proceeds from sale" or "not qualifying for funding"The way we are reading it is that we need to let the contract automatically terminate on the date specified in the contingency form, and potentially keep trying to sell our house, to get the earnest money back and not be in breach of contract.We want to be sure not to lose our earnest, and do everything according to the contract.Thank you so much!

Don't forget about other lending channels who will typically provide up to 80% LTV on properties over $750k.

By the time the option to purchase rolls around, I wouldn't mind putting a mortgage on it at that point.Negotiate a lower purchase price, since it is a distressed property in need of some work and purchase the property now via HML (incl funds to rehab the property).

I’ve never heard of anyone giving 80% LTV for a long term loan.

If I put 15k in an index fund for the next 18 years I can just about cover a decent in state tuition. 

I got the funds quick and closed on the property Friday.