I'm just now maxing out my 401k, my wife's 401k, and our HSA. We're starting to fill up our traditional IRA accounts. Once our salaries increase enough to fill those IRAs each year we'll move on to a taxable account - and invest in real estate with those funds when I have 20% down. I'm now wondering if I could start investing in real estate now by trading my excellent credit and access to low interest long term mortgages to an investor for a share in the equity in a deal. Is what I have (full-time job income, fantastic credit, favorable interest rates) useful to an investor who's hit their mortgage lending limit?