My next door neighbor was robbed about a month ago, most likely while I was home, and I am dumbfounded how someone has the nerves to walk out of a house with a mattress (in your case) or a big screen tv and down a long set of steps, and a number of other big ticket items (in the case of my neighbor).Like Joshua mentioned, lights on timers are a good idea, but I imagine that these are not your garden variety criminals that are used to stealing packs of bubblegum from Walmart.

You are comparing apples to oranges.

Management had decided to go up to "gold star" status, this meant the following expenses for each owner; granite countertops in kitchen, flat screen TV master bedroom and living room, stainless steel appliances, new furniture, etc.

(apples and oranges)Brandon,your startegy is creative and possible viable, however, Rich made an important point that you are missing out on tax deductions and future appreciation, as well as principle paydown from rental income.

Our Previous home that we had furnished and decided we wanted to start again so we left all the High end furniture, paintings, plasma TV's ect...

Contrary to all the B.S. on TV, inflation is going strong.

If the house next to it sold for 700k five months ago and I can get it for 550k, how's that not a good deal, apples-to-apples?

My name is Nick Jaber and work for a investment group [Express Estates] out of New York City. Currently we are buying packages of homes coming direct from the banks/mortg. companies at very good prices. Looking to see...

Madoff Investment Securities has more than $700 million in capital, according to its website.Madoff remains a member of Nasdaq OMX Group Inc's nominating committee, and his firm is a market maker for about 350 Nasdaq stocks, including Apple, EBay and Dell, according to the website.The website also states that Madoff himself has "a personal interest in maintaining the unblemished record of value, fair-dealing, and high ethical standards that has always been the firm's hallmark."

I imagine much bigger name investors can get around some of this prequalifying but until you establish yourself you have to play by the rules and "polish your apple".