I have been doing real estate for about 10 years now and I can tell you that you better be committed 110% if you want rentals......They are alot of work but you can be very successful. I think of it like small businesses where they say 70% or more fail within 5 years, same with investors (they come and go)
I started back in 1997 when you could cash flow just about any type of residence..
My recommendation would be to start doing your research (reading) now and make an educated purchase about 6 months from now if serious. I would advocate managing and renting your own property to see what it takes. I would also buy multi-family like duplex or triplex to start if you can afford it, they always do good in any economy, good or bad
Foreclosures are what I specialize in buying now but you have to have the mindset to buy low, hold for 10-20 years minimum and sell during the peak
If real estate is not your game, the stock market is about to take a giant dump in the near future in my opinion...for one reason, the people that are going to hit the mandatory age to start taking distributions from their 401's is going to skyrocket. There are just not enough younger folks putting enough in to counteract this problem.
If you can afford to invest in the stock market, say in futures and especially energy related stocks, go for it, they will always do good.
I don't know your age but I started when I was 25, now I'm 35, will retire with a nice Police/Fire retirement and have plenty of real estate to retire forever at 43.......
It can be done, just alot of hard work, determination and TIMING!!!!
GOOD LUCK
