Originally posted by @Gary Coles:Welcome Alton,It is great that you are interested in real estate.

Gary G Groves

For me the most "anti-guru" book I've ever read on real estate is the "Millionaire Real Estate Investor" by Gary Keller.

But if your property appreciates by 5%, you gain 5% of the $100,000.00.The authors of Investing In Real Estate, Andrew McLean and Gary Eldred (2006, John Wiley & Sons Inc.), have offered many ways to grow your wealth in investment real estate.

Gary you need some spread sheets - personal balance sheetcash flow statementand a spread sheet that shows value of the houses vs whats owed on themYou look at these three and you run your scenarios - cash out, increase mortgages/rents/costs, cash out one prop to decrease second props expenses.....I think you already have a nice suggestion from Ben.

Welcome Gary!

Originally posted by Gary Coles:Thanks for you input Jeff.

Gary, do you use a skype certified home phone as well to make your landline and cell phone calls ?

Hey Gary,Those seem like good techniques.

Thanks Gary, my main interest is verifying comps for out of state relatives and friends as opposed to buying / selling.