To update the situation, the rental market in my area has weakened and there is substantial vacancy in my properties, probably 15-20%.The property I am way underwater on is full but I'm nervous about the prospect of making the mortgage payments on the other properties going forward.I am having to pay all the taxes out of pocket this year.

We're back to a substantial down payment, and realistic appraisals.

I am an all cash investor/principal with $2 million per transaction that seeks to purchase substantially discounted real estate, builder closeouts, REO's and other opportunities with fast exit strategies throughout U.S.

(Not that I don't believe it's a good number to use; I've just not seen any data to substantiate the figure.)So, using that formula, if you know what a property will rent for, and you know how much cash flow you need to make off your investment, you can back into the maximum acquisition price you're willing to pay.

If you know subcontractors that will give you a substantial discount, chances are you will save money over having the contractor complete the property.You will need to do your research and see what kind of discount you will get for purchasing before construction completion, and compare that with how much it will cost if you get the repairs completed on your own.

I'm making a pretty substantial income for someone my age.

IN taking back the property and selling it later the new buyer's closing attorney wanted the land contract tenant to come to the real estate office and sign papers (quit claims etc.) as if the law considered him a deserving owner.

Instead of “publicâ€, I should have put “investors and strong retail buyers†that could put down a substantial (20% or more) down payment.

While I have had success with in-house staff, most "full-time" appliance repair types charge a substantial trip charge, and it seems the parts are always $80 or more, so with 2 to 3 service calls, you blow any profits on used equipment.

Now another thing you can do to improve your home substantially is landscape it.