IE Re Brokerage which many make big bucks at then roll into investing and developing and lending etc. ( my path personally)5.5 Of those Myriad of options they could include  RE sales,,, Lending,, Note investing, Property management, Buy and Hold ( most popular)  Fix and flip, New construction, AG , Timber , Oil and Gas leases,  there is Many ways to skin a cat in the RE investing world.6.

I started when I was a Federal Air Marshal. 

I'm currently looking at pre-forclosures and REO properties in my area as the current market values of 3/1 and 3/2 SFRs (most popular rentals in Hollister) would lead to significant negative cash flow.

The first and last link that @Brie Schmidt posted both refer to the federal law Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act.

I believe you can do a SDIRA but I had heard that you don't get to write off the interest on loans you may be carrying on your rentals...that could be some bad info that was given to me.I ended up paying the state and federal taxes and my thought was to get some cash flow properties into my portfolio rather than having my money exposed to the stock market (just my thoughts though).An example of one of my rentals is positive cash flow per month of $500.

These types of units are very popular in my area and there is a waiting list to move in.  

You need to consult with a lawyer who understands state and federal securities regulation.

Years before FHFA argued Fannie Mae was not federal by virtue that it was private before, making FHFA act as a private entity, not the other way around, so that they could win an employment termination case where the woman claimed Fannie Mae was Federal since being held in a FHFA conservatory and thus must follow federal employment law.

The Federal Reserve has publicly indicated that it will increase the federal funds rate next year, which will have an effect of mortgage rates.

Cash (cashiers check) only and you want to research the properties to make sure there are no 'superior' liens like state or federal liens.