But they do have some distinct advantages, especially if you have a business that is national in scope.

RIght now, I think there were four other topics on the board that are of a general or even non-RE related topic like this one.To me, it seemed to have a different flavor about it, more technically driven a couple years ago, when I first got here, I think it's been almost two years.

Either way, they package the technique into a course and sell it as TNBT (the next big thing).After having created that specific technique, they package it with pretty video's, tons of written documents, nice web sites, fancy squeeze pages and other materials and call it "The New Secret Sauce" for Real Estate Investing and they market it nationwide.There is a distinct difference between a Real Estate Investor and a Real Estate Entreprneur.Examples:The Realtor in South Carolina who prior to the bubble bursting sold 15 properties in 15 minutes to a list of buyers he had been building for years.

Without that you start competing with the luxury complexes catering to students sprouting up along the bus routes.The good news is that if you choose to sell you have three distinct target markets: rich parents buying for their kids, college rental investors, and regular homeowners including the college faculty/staff.

That's an important distinction to understand when checking out educators.

Hi John,unfortunately, a LLC doesn't save you from paperwork - quite the contrary.You still need all your receipts to substantiate your expenses to the IRS (if it comes to defending an audit).You definitely want to have separate accounts to show that the LLC is indeed a distinct entity and you definitely do not want to mix your and the LLC moneys.Mixing personal and business funds more or less automatically kills the point and benefit of the LLC since it needs to documented as a separate, business entity.There's a ton of LLC related discussions on BP, plus I found the NOLO books on dealing with Tax for Landlords to be outstanding.You have plenty of time to ramp up on this aspect.Get a bunch more rentals under your belt to build up your net worth.

It's when an option becomes convoluted and takes on the flavor of a sham transaction or bridges on a prohibited transaction that a lender may disqualify amounts or loans funding such transactions.Having been around hundreds of banks I can assure you that loan officers are not attorneys and some may not spot or understand such contracts, doesn't mean that they are a prudent way of doing business.

Where else can you so easily associate with millionaires, lenders, real estate professionals, developers, gurus and specialists of so many flavors.

It means don't waste your time with the flavor of the month.

I follow your logic though... and my own philosophy is that cahs flow has a "flavor and color" -- and it's possible to get "enough" cash flow and still have properties / experiences / tenants that provide you a great "joy to headache" ratio!