Buying properties to rehab is a great way to build instant equity.

Please use instant messenger because it takes so log for these pages to download from my computor.

This would give you negative cash flow but it does not sound like you are trying to buy it for an instant cash flow solution.

So why should I think you will be an instant success on this one?

If 20 people each made them 5 times a week, that would become fair market price and they wouldn't be deals any more.Yes, I have bought houses with $100,000 instant equity.

It is impossible to call the exact bottom and very difficult for most people to buy an entire portfolio at any given instant.

Would you rather have instant equity now (from buying at a discount in flyover country) or the hope of appreciation (not working so well now in a lot of the former hot areas).

I agree with PNW, I would also look for distressed properties (minor cosmetics only) and motivated sellers to add instant equity.

Increasing the rentsIncreasing the laundry incomeAdding a pop machineLowering the vacancy rateLowering the expensesConverting a storage area to an additional suiteUptrend marketMay all instantly increase the value / price of a commercial apartment building allowing a refinance or 2nd mortgage to pull cash out.Thats the power of commercial real estate!!!

14k instant equity according to zillow.