I can imagine that would be really tough to find in most major metros. some condos dtown chicago go for 950 a month for a studio and I'm pretty sure I can't find a seller that will sell it to me for 95k.But at the same time, just because I'm not in an area where SFH cost 50k, and you can easily apply that rental rule of 100 to, doesn't mean I shouldn't be allowed to play the RE game.There has to be a model in which people from big cities run their analysis through that has to differ with people from smaller cities.

Hi guys,Some of my thoughts.If 2% loans exist in Japan that is grate for them, but it worthless for me.If I were offering to refinance my house for example with some European bank with 0% interest, I would think twice before I do so.

*The * is that the rule doesn't apply to some markets like much of California or most major metropolitan areas.

I am not comfortable owning something that, because of something that happened over night in the Japanese or European markets, is worth 25% less today then yesterday.

It's just a rule of thumb that usually isn't attainable in California (or most major markets).

Tim W. was calling this "European wood floors":http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/47534-trying-painting-floors-will-let-you-know-http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/84/topics/15148-best-way-to-rehab-a-wood-floor-on-a-rental-to-behttp://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/53707-what-is-the-most-tenant-friendly-flooring-?

I also have replaced most major maintenance problems I can think of, hopefully no new suprises.

The competition here are mostly South American or European investors looking to park money.

I understand the arguments and feelings about those programs designed as a safety net and then become a crutch for many but if we are to continue to press for an economic system that leads more strongly to a free market capitalism and less to a socialistic European system we need to provide a safety net for those who through no fault of there own fall on hard times.

Most major cities have excellent cashflow about an hour outside city limits.Tim