If you don't have the "dough" you don't have the "go".Based on what you are saying you will need 20% down payment for a rental + closing costs + operating reserves (in cash).Most people will not have this--some will do what they need to do to get it--some will not, some can not.A good first step might be to save up as much as you can for a year in a special savings account--by living frugally for 12 months.Then explore down payment assistance programs in your area for first time home buyers of a primary residence--if you qualify (and the home is in a good area for your 'Family" vs Gunshot Alley, then buy a home for yourself and your family.Getting on the track of being a homeowner will give you some additional strength, after a few years of ownership, re-asses your situation.Or work 2 jobs and save the 20% down, closing costs and operating capital you will need, but if you do that and your wife divorces you for it, then you will be in a worse situation than you are now.In the mean time, [1] read Rich Dad Poor Dad, and [2] have fun with your family doing things together (while you have the time), rent a boat for an afternoon, go on a pic-nick, hike in the woods, etc...

I called the city to verify and again they said they had no idea what he was talking about.I am at a point now where my trust with the architect has eroded and I am in the exact same boat as we were in at the time of purchase.

Like RV's, Boats and Time Shares. 

Sacramento has been a consistent and stable market, still cheap enough for new investors to get in while offering meaningful returns.A few of my investors are in the same boat, looking to "hack" small multifamily as a first step to build their portfolios. 

I am in the same boat as @Brett Synicky is.

Instead of investing where you want to vacation, invest where you have an opportunity to do best (maybe locally) and vacation anywhere.It's easier than ever to rent homes, boats, houseboats, huts, treehouses, etc... so invest well (doesn't have to be RE) and take the cash flow from your investing to go anywhere in the world where it's 75 degrees instead of the same places every time.  

I’m in the same boat.

Considering converting 5,000sqft building to storage + managing apt, building self storage units outside, and RV/Boat storage for buildings.

So 20-25% is the boat I would be in.

That's amazing, they know what we are talking about....Dave Meyer, I forgot about email, mine is so backed up I gave up trying to delete them, even by the page it's a major pain.Much of that is my fault as I'm on several sites (boating, motorcycle) and somehow everytime someone makes a comment I get notified and couldn't find how to opt out, so I'm bombed with stuff, add the RE and spam and it's a mess.