How would you invest $200K?

[Nathan Getty]

I have around $200k sitting in the bank right now and I do not own a primary residence. I am deciding what investment avenue I should pursue. The only debt I have is around $40k in student loans combined from undergrad and a graduate school. I believe that I could be making a salary of 60-80K this year.

-Should I buy a primary residence? 

-Should I invest majority in the stock market? 

-How would you invest in real estate? 

-Other investment ideas? 

Thank you

[Karl McGarvey]

1.) Buy a 250-300K property putting 5% down on a conventional loan. You will get a primary home interest rate so the loan is cheap compared to an investor loan.

2.) Live in the home for the minimum amount of time required by the lender (usually about 12 months).

3.) Use that 12 months to save up for another 5% down payment

4.) At the end of the 12 months, buy another house. Rent out the original home.

5.) Rinse and Repeat. In 5-10 years you will own $1,000,000 in Real Estate for very little money out of your pocket.