Help me restrain myself. Got money burning a hole in my pocket.

[Shari Posey]

This is probably a crazy post but do any of you find yourself playing with numbers on a property hoping it will look better so you'll be convinced to buy it? I find I'm doing this all the time now.

I've been looking a year and still haven't found anything that makes sense except for one short sale condo in Vegas I'm waiting for approval on but it's been 6 months and it might never work out.

I want to buy and hold forever. Originally I wanted to pay cash for properties which is what lead me to Vegas. Now I'm rethinking to buy a multifamily or two with financing and pay it off fast.

The ultimate goal is to have more income in retirement 10-12 years away. I would not be able to live solely off the few I currently own.

I am finding a couple of deals that cover PITI and operating costs based on a 30 year loan with 25% down. Cash flow from other properties and rental income will be added to the payment to pay them off in 10-12 years. Part of me says this is good enough for our ultimate goal, the other part of me says to have patience and keep looking.

I really want to stay within a 4-hour drive of Los Angeles so that is a limiting factor.

Any thoughts?