I don't have real-estate experience, so I would need to learn thru program or on my own crash course on things like: easements, do I need LLC in each state I would buy in, learning to sell on terms (financing), how to close (can I do it myself), how good copy looks for mailings, etc.    

Of course one was an 11 unit that I'd owned for 7 years so it was a little easier. 

Dear Bruce: really depends what is more important to you: (1) potential for appreciation = different questions than; (2) current (once constructed & rented, of course) cash flow = different analysis.

All expenses are paid by the plan and all income flows back into the plan... of course tax-sheltered just as if the income were from gains in the stock market.So if you have expertise and a good network in an asset class such as real estate, private lending, etc., you can use such a plan to invest in what you know. 

@David Bardwell of course I'd to compare notes.

Any tips will help!

It’s pretty useless without it, and I use my phone more than my laptop....any pro tips on navigating the new UI?

During my time in college at UNT, I had the pleasure of taking two real estate courses with professor John Baen.

Fellow investors if you have any tips, advice, or information it would be greatly appreciated (especially from Michigan).

Of course it helps if you have a successful track record so starting out will be difficult.