lot going on in this post.first, no way will you get a 5.5% on a non occupied investment property.(2) you *may* end up with positive net income on the property without having the mortgage writeoff - this means a visit from the tax man. as an investor, the "write offs" or tax deductions you will receive, if your business entity is structured correctly and your CPA knows what he/she is doing and you keep tabs on it, will far exceed any write offs you will earn anywhere else...look at it this way...IF...you HELOC...taking 100k out of your property...now you've got 100k to invest in an reo or other distressed property - CASH...real estate is about leverage...but with the CASH purchase, it frees you up to do many different things down the road...IF...you "buy right" (below market value > 30%) - combined with the CASH purchase, you'll create a return on your investment that is EXCELLENT.if you took an arbitrary 100k (from anywhere, say it grew on a tree) and you stuck it in a savings account earning 5% (which is a lot for a savings account)...compare that to the 20% return you'll get off the monthly cash flow from a good rental...not to mention depreciation..and future leverage options available to you through this investment...the returns just compound.now this all deserves a qualifier...we don't know the specifics of your current home, your finances, what you owe on it currently, other debts etc.all that must be taken into account.

A few years later that grew to $100k per month.

I grew up in Ft Worth too and invest there.

I grew up in a fishing community and when I was a kid everyone dumped their garbage over the rail ... many drained old engine oil in shaft alley and pumped it out with the bilge water.

I am focused on the NW atlanta suburbs currently and have felt comfortable in that area because it is where I grew up and know the market so well.

I grew up on Long Island and am very familiar with the area and have contacts out there.

Welcome Michaela, I actually grew up in Derby.

I have a house in contract that I set up a rent-to-own agreement between buyer and seller as of last night.The two buyers (who I actually grew up with) want to open a small men's 3/4 house (transitional living/structured environment) for guys getting out of rehabs or 1/2 way houses.

(marketing)Once I master the art of wholesaling I would like to move to fix and flip/ buy & hold, then commercial.I am based out of Oak Harbor, but I grew up in Everett, So ill be doing most my work there.....I'm always catching myself trying to "like" comments!!

Haha after months away (I feel guilty as I read the emails and forums all the time but haven't contributed) I wanted to send a little update as to my status and progress.I have acquired a 4 family close to home (hometown where I grew up!)