Can you invest in a real estate (rental property) with no money down

[Zahara Mandavia]

Hi - 

new here and need tons of advice.. Looking at investing for a rental property, but plan to put 0% down..  I was told the conventional loan is the best way to go, but require at a minimum 20% down.. In addition, are there more tax benefits when you have a rental property?  Looking to build connections and gain real advice 

[Doug Smith]

Legally, yes...practically, no way. In this interest rate and insurance-cost environment, not putting anything into a deal will most certainly leave you cash-flow negative in anything you purchase. As a lender, we wouldn't touch a deal where the investor does not have skin in the game. Statistically, the defalt rates are inversely proportional to the amount someone injects into a deal.