At first I oppose Condo-- however --based on info - location and demand --it may not be bad-In today's market --most palces condos are very cheap -- 30 % t0 40% value - As far as financing --if REO -- offer reasonable price and show Job Letter --with $20% down --Lender may do financing-Other option --if available by Owner at same discounted price --from a desparate seller --then you can do subject to or Lease Option --Depends on what city - state are you in --SFR may be still better -- price will come backup on SFR first --upon recovery --Just wonder -- what city and what field --only $50K with master's --is it that bad out there ?

Now, I need a cape and a really cool mask, like the Loan Arranger, and a athletic shirt with a big red "F" on it, for FINANCEXAMINER!

I have been involved in several lively discussions on here, but I don't think I have introduced myself.My name is Mike, my wife is Eva and we have six children, all but one is 18 or older now.I bought my first real estate investment at the age of 19, and have bought and sold, made money, lost money, but have fun doing it.I work as a Finance Director for a Non Profit company that runs a Head Start, Substance Abuse Recovery and Job Training Program, mostly for Native Americans.

I'm not an athlete or anything.

The market will be worse in 2010, and 2011 will probably see a slight recovery, but nothing to get excited about.

In addition, I see the economic "recovery" as a large-scale transfer of leverage from private individuals to the government and about equally unlikely to succeed in the long run.Unless you are buying properties at a significant discount to construction costs in areas that will continue to grow despite the recession, you can't be sure of the appreciation.

Better off saving cash and doing little to no money down with owner finance if the loan is called in 5 years and save 30% down.The best loans I see for commercial is 10 years fixed where they will loan 75%,you put down 10%,and the owner carries back 15%.Cash is king right now.It's amazing the government expects a recovery with little to no financing out there.When values can't almost fall any lower they won't lend but when a bubble was happening 100% was all over the place when they should have started pulling back.The government is always backwards in their thinking.

But had the deal gone through, the new owner would have paid more than an informed buyer probably would have, Freddie Mac would have been denied a legitimate recovery, and the real estate agent would have fraudulently netted a $65,000 profit at the taxpayers’ expense.”Hmmmm....

I disagree with you on the depreciation recovery schedule for appliances.

I would argue the answer is they want them.The government is a typical seller.They see what market value is but do not want to be realistic.To get rid of the inventory it's going to be painful.There is no way around it.Trying all these wacky ideas is delaying the inevitable.All it does it keep a recovery from happening sooner.