Non traditional investing. Should I?

[97guns]

im pretty content with what i have now, 5 single family homes that bring close to 70k. the investor in me wants more but the same market indicators i used for my entry point tell me to stand pat.

[sv2007]

...
So in 2011, we had 7 properties under our mgt, including my 2.

In 2016, we now have 30 properties under management; I bought 2 more for myself in 2014. Those two do about $48K.
...

How does TX property management work? I thought there's a need to get a RE broker license, right? So you have to figure that into there too.

[sv2007]

Somehow this is becoming an RE vs SP500 investment , both of which aren't what I'd call "non-traditional" investing with spare cash because they are used likely by a majority of investor.

Nobody does any options or Forex here ?

[TexasHusker]

How does TX property management work? I thought there's a need to get a RE broker license, right? So you have to figure that into there too.

I'm not sure about property management in Texas - while I live in TX my property mgt. co. is in TN.

We do have to be licensed by the Tenn Real Estate Commission, but that's not that big of a deal.

[TexasHusker]

Somehow this is becoming an RE vs SP500 investment , both of which aren't what I'd call "non-traditional" investing with spare cash because they are used likely by a majority of investor.

Nobody does any options or Forex here ?

I traded OEX (S&P 100) options for a good while. The highs were high and the lows were woeful. Over a period of 6 months, I bled out about $50K doing that, and decided Las Vegas would be a lot more fun, and the food is better.

I've done a lot of covered call trading with mixed results.

I have kissed so many frogs I've lost count of all my warts.

[sv2007]

Sorry to hear about your losses. But those losses would happen with trading stocks too; maybe I understand your love for RE more. People always seem to like the things that paid them.. even casino dealers.

As for Vegas...
There's a hidden secret to Vegas that I've been wanting to do some calculations. You know, like how many people you know reports internet purchases and pays use tax? Similarly how many reports their winnings at Vegas unless the casino "helps" them do it? So, once the tax advantage gets figured into Vegas, I think some odds are now shifted towards the players.

As for non-traditional investing...
I think if I make the above calculations, Vegas can qualify as investing. I'll have to do it.

Basically, I differentiate between investing and Vegas as that in Vegas, the odds are fixed against you where you've got no chance of even breaking even statistically speaking.

Now, the options and forex markets offer a good non-traditional investing IMHO (if you can control yourself) because of the leverage they offer.

Options aren't as attractive any more due to the recent laws and overall brokerage tightening of naked calls. But the forex market is still decent (with 10+x leverage available at well known brokerages).

The thing is this kind of investment might fit the OP's desire for "fun" "excitement" investing. Definitely, much more so than index funds and rental units. It takes some assets to backup the leveraging and the OP also sounded like he's got some.

It's risky, you know, high risk high reward right?

If you know a stock will go up for sure, wold you put your money into stocks or options? (Now, "for sure" is never real, but it's jsut an example to show that the 2 are one and the same almost.)

Do you think BOJ will depreciate the yen? It was at 120 to the $1 just a little while ago? Why do you think that? China industial output is down, would they be lowering yuan? you see, forex trading can bring a global outlook into your life.

So, fun , excitement investing with research fun. No, sorry no Vegas food.