What makes it different than other investing - like stocks and bonds - is the business of real estate investing is in itself - the running of a business. 

Just think about it in terms of stock investing.

Or there are those that say there's always a good deal around you and stick in your backyard.Or jump in the stock market when it too is at all time highs?

In a nicely stocked North west doug fir wood lot it can run 30 to 50k bd ft to the acre and up. with delivered log prices being about 600 to 900 bd ft depending on size and quality. 

During my average D1 college baseball career, I took a huge interest in investing in stocks/real estate and acquired a couple degrees in Economics and Entrepreneurial Studies with a minor in Marketing.I also love to golf down here in Arizona so let's meet up on the course if anyone wants to connect!

Option 1 and reinvest that money into another smaller investment (stock market for crypto - $ is highly liquid and will compound better than the rate reduction).

This assumes you're comfortable with this leverage and the gains you'll miss out on in stock market.

Or if you have a good job have you also been stocking $ away in your retirement accounts?

I closed out one of my taxable investment accounts by selling all of the stock. 

A private money lender is someone seeking an alternative way to invest their money, beyond the stock market or low-yield savings accounts and CDs.