I'm curious with you and your wife, how did you decide it was worth it to put the 50% down and purchase?

They are trying to purchase a home which was going through probate.

Here’s the bottom line; unless the deal is VERY large, or the sponsor is going to syndicate a large number of deals, the investor will make more money purchasing the property theirselves with a option low to moderate interest rate loan.  

The family purchased a lakefront property in a nice area three years ago but then ran into a series of issues, and have abandoned the place because of them.They are hoping the bank allows a short sale (asking for roughly $20,000 under what is owed)Here's what's made them so unhappy:Anytime they used the laundry it was dumping into a dry well, which would back up into the house forcing them to take their laundry to a laundromat instead!!

The key to purchasing more real estate is by focusing on the fundamentals of the real estate.

I’m in the process of purchasing a second home in Aspen, CO, which will also serve as my first STR property.

Purchase price: $80,000 Cash invested: $80,000 This is a reno- adding a 1 bedroom unit to a three family home.

Maybe it isn't worth it, but you should consider the numbers and decide...that could push you towards purchasing another rental. - You mentioned paying down/off a rental and needing to consider the tax implication.

Purchase price: $245,000 Cash invested: $80,000 I served as the buyer's agent acquiring this property.

In that regard, I can guess estimate if they're selling 400K more (after holding for two years), with the kind of remodelling that they make ( lets say 150K), I guess they make 200K net profit.The software is good for "flipping intel" at the very least.I used it for the last three purchase that I had.