Build your ability to spot a good deal quickly, and to estimate repair costs, so that you can make a decision quickly if the right deal pops up.

Better to invest in somewhere, either Real Estate or stocks/bonds/mutual funds or a mixture of both.

If you have a ton of experience and there is not too much risk on the money and a very good chance of making a large profit, then giving you a larger share of the profits might make sense if it's a better return than he could get in the stock market.

Are you looking to use the VA loan for a different spot in Portland? 

If I couldn’t raise the rents to market or at least close to it I may as well invest in stocks.  

That's the sweet spot in my neck of the woods.

Use money you save to invest in the stock market or property and/or to prepare to buy the home from your parents/siblings in the future.My parents financed the purchase of a $650k home for my brother and his pregnant wife.

@Lucas LeBlancTo learn more about the solo 401k loan rules, see the following:https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plans-faqs-regarding-loansAlso, following are the similarities and differences between the solo 401k and the self-directed IRA.The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k SimilaritiesBoth were created by congress for individuals to save for retirement;Both may be invested in alternative investments such as real estate, precious metals tax liens, promissory notes, private company shares, and stocks and mutual funds, to name a few;Both allow for Roth contributions;Both are subject to prohibited transaction rules;Both are subject to federal taxes at time of distribution;Both allow for checkbook control for placing alternative investments;Both may be invested in annuities;Both are protected from creditors;Both allow for nondeductible contributions;Both are prohibited from investing in assets listed under I.R.C. 408(m); andNeither may be invested in your own business. 

Thanks, I've been doing some more reading about JC and it seems that a good spot to start looking is Bergen/Lafayette near Liberty Park. 

Bill Gulley Tyler Ansell Sean Walton I currently rent and could move in to a spot rent free but I don't want to do that unless I have to.