Find a bank that has a higher limit or supplement some of your own money. 

I am 64 and need to supplement my retirement and believe REI is the best way I can do that....I want to start by buying houses from motivated sellers who want out quickly, such as a possible foreclosure situations.   

This will enable me to double NW every 7-8 years which is very attainable and realistic.The next logical plan going forward would be funding overfunded whole life policies and expand to lifestyle/investment properties overseas which serve many functions at once.

Buy renting the property and establishing your intent to hold it for productive use you are adding an huge to your net return by enabling the 1031 possibility.Good for you.

I am, however, thankful for that first property because it enabled me to become a more savvy investor and more efficient and effective landlord.It is far better to make a big mistake on a small investment (duplex) than to even make a small mistake on a larger scale project (apartment complex).Where is your property located in Columbus?

This enables you to reuse your cash to generate additional returns from another property. 

That should enable us to continue even if I deploy. 

@Sandy Uhlmann you would need to consult an attorney about that but keep in mind an MLO only costs about $350 and it's well worth it to have a solid note deal that will hold up in court or enable you to sell the note later if you wanted to.  

Between the military, task apps, new business, etc. there is never a better time to be able to make supplemental income and be my own boss.

I wrote a real estate plan that will enable us to buy this ranch.