I don't think I'll be able to get bank financing due to a lack of 1099 income but maybe if my down payment is big enough, who knows?

@Jon KlausThe other point to remember is that with an index fund, you're getting alot of diversification; either S&P 500 or even a total market one, and you buy a major cross section of businesses across sectors, that represent the overall health of the economy.With RE, even 10 SFH, it lacks that level of diversification.This can be both good (i.e lets say you bought 10 SFH a few years back in San Francisco; you've got HUGE appreciation and laughing all the way to the bank!)

hello, I've posted once before regarding multi-family investing and I've come to realize that I lack the funds to get started with that.. so my plan now is to purchase a single family home roughly 15 -20% below market value, fix it up if needed, lease with a one year contact, then after holding for 2 or 3 months sell it off to another investor with an occupied tenant.

One of the local lenders said they would only finance a duplex and not a 3 or 4-unit due to my lack of experience with investment properties.

Owners Title Insurance = $265Govt Recording Charge = $138 (again, not sure what this is)TOTAL = $5434 in closing costs just to get the loan.I am sure my lack of understanding in all of this is due to my limited experience in getting loans on investment properties, but I just wanted to run this by you guys to see if this seems normal to everyone else?

The developer has a civil engineering background, so I'm not sure exactly how I would be able to help estimate new construction costs.I would like to help this developer, as I think it would be good experience, but its starting to look like my lack of experience may prevent me from my assistance. 

In the case of REI I am still technically "wet behind the ears" for lack of a better term, but I am doing my best to familiarize myself with all of the ins and outs of our industry especially in the MA marketplace.

Throughout the process, I have been disappointed with this buyer's agent's lack of timely response. 

Once the tools for lack of a better term are set up for the needs of your business and you understand how the account generally wants things set up outside of the obvious ones, it really is quick and convenient.  

I think we're about 5 years away from the next dip in real estate, appreciation and building are still booming in most markets, largely due to a lack of inventory.