What strategy are you interested in pursuing? 

If you haven't done so I would start by determining your strategy.

But my strategy is buy and hold.

Why waste one's time on cheap deals where the profit / exit strategy is iffy.  

What I would like to see are posts or examples of investors who have used these "creative strategies" to derive profit in the past year.

A 401(k) is generally the better vehicle, provided one qualifies for it.A strategy that could be used is the use of a 401k loan - i.e., a loan from the 401k - which can be used for any purpose.

It might be "6 of 1, half a dozen of the other," but I recommend that the new purchase cover all financing, meaning the mortgage on that house, as well as the financing of the down payment, without having to rely on the first house to pay the debt of the second.  

Flipping is already an advance and risky strategy.

Have you come up with a new strategy in REI ???

Send a message if you want to talk strategy or get more specifics for purchasing out there.David