We are thinking of doing a few more fixer uppers before venturing off into the rental business to get our capital up.

Good luck on all of your real estate ventures.

Anythingbeyond that would be above and beyond my goals, and would be a bonus.I have funds saved up at this point to put into any new ventures I pursue.My few main questions are these:1) In just one zip code near me, there are 14,000 foreclosed homes, and150 of them have been since April.

I'm happily earning 15% on my money.I'm considering a joint venture opportunity on a L/O of a duplex with another member I meet at a club meeting.A short sale I signed up last summer and the bank accepted was purchased as a rental unit by a club member.I'm putting together a joint venture opportunity with two other investors I met at the club meetings to market for property and sell wholesale in a specific area.

As i am venturing into this new world of real estate, i am quickly realizing the importance of building relations with people and I would like to make as many contacts and relations as i can in the field; I hope i can begin to do so through these forums as well as get help when i have uncertainties.

Ask them if a person who is certified would be more likely to get business than people without the certification assuming the same level of skills.Now, if the process to be certified would teach you a lot of things you do not know (either in terms of staging or running the business aspects of such a venture) then it might be well worth the money and the time.John Corey

I was told by an attorney that the joint venture contract is priceless.

My next venture will probably be doing low level flips, however I'm still studying my market to make sure it won't sit after the rehab.

I just got a joint venture contract that I use to get around lender seasoning, and a few other things; its priceless in my eyes.

Good luck to you in both ventures.