I thought those ppl at BYU were loose and party animals.  

Unless you live in a cave, wear animal skin for clothes and only eat wild berries, don't give me the "big, bad corporation is evil" excuse.

I do understand that RE investing is a different kind of animal, and specialization in geography and approach seems wise for a beginner -- or, perhaps, anyone for that matter.

Both of these allow for several levels to go in either direction.How about the type of housing: cardboard box, tent, mobile home (aka trailer), rowhome, twin, mansion, apartment building.Or even the three little pigs types of housing: straw, stick, brick.You could also use dog breeds, or zoo animals, for different tiers.

Monthly expenses is a different animal, but you'd need a place to rent if you didn't pay a mortgage.If buying your house is a mediocre retirment investment for a non-real estate investor, it would also be a mediocre retirment investment for a real estate investor.

Giving names to variations of a basic transaction may make them identifiable and therefore marketable, often the zebra loses his stripes and loses the basic concept and becomes another animal that can be subject to unintended consequences. :)

The security instrument attached to the note is a different animal altogether.

I do have a clause in the garage rental that says they can't store things that are hazardous, explosive, grow plants, keep animals, weird stuff like that.How do you separate/split the area between the tenants, (assume there are no existing barriers or dividers)?

First, you need to clarify….is this an REO that has been already been taken back by the bank and the bank is now selling it OR is it the auction in the foreclosure action itself…two completely different animals.

Be aware that they may try to 'end around' you with the Emotional Support Animal ruse.