The FinancialsPurchased our "starter home" brand new in 2010 for $166,490Zestimate is currently at $281,510Mortgage Outstanding Principal balance is $137,331.69Monthly Payment (PITI) is $1,159.24Rent Zestimate is $1,625 /moIn case it's relevant, our budget for a new home is $450K and we have 25% saved for deposit.

I am losing about $250/month once considering CapEx/repairs/vacancy savings, prop manager. i have renters in there and house is in good shape but as we all know, something could go down at any time. loan is at 2.75%, so, I would lose that....which amatorizes quick.

I would likely not have gotten these returns in any other form of investment.Goal is to continue using OPM to secure retirement plus pension, whatever paltry SS we get, and our 401ks.

I've retired and moved to Georgia to be closer to my son. 

If your passion truly is to focus on something REI pick a degree that parallels with it in some way that allows you to love doing your 9-5 job while you gain experience and save money to eventually be a full time REI.

I will have around 100k to be used on a personal property and/or first deal.My goal is to focus on commercial real estate using cash flowing apartment complexes in order set myself up for early retirement.

This allows you to have all the financial security and easy access to your cash, which real estate does not, as well as affording you much higher returns than simply having dead equity.The same would apply to paying down your own home mortgage, all you save is the mortgage interest. 

I like to contribute as much as I can tax differed to the retirement accounts like solo 401k, IRA etc.

I'll save $5k in developer fees by waiting but will have yo solar PV the ADU;maybe do the sfr at the same time.

., and how to maximize savings and write offs.