My name is Carlos and I just recenlty achieved in getting my NJ real estate license.

If you are chasing returns between 10% to 20% then there ample opportunities in performing loans to achieve those returns if you understand what you are buying and how to best manage those investments.  

hi Chris  Cozzens it will be very difficult to achieve more than the 1% rule in New Jersey with the high taxes ,  unless u invest in the urban areas you mentioned .

The UW will then counter the loan as an investment property and require 20-25% down or counter it as a second home with conventional financing with a min down of 10-20%.This is what will happen if a loan officer submits the file as suggested above.It would have to be a pretty rookie mistake by a loan officer (LO) though to submit a file with out the property explanation and documentation because it would not put your file in the best possible light and achieve what you've intended to achieve.Is it possible for her to get a primary residence ?

This will teach you enough about your local markets to start answering your own questions on where to invest as well as give you food for thought on what you are trying to achieve with investing (what kind of investing, your criterea, etc)Good luck

Our 8 year goal is to both not have to work for the man no more and will do what it takes to achieve!!!!

As a graduate of the university, I know first hand the rental rates students will pay as well as the more desirable neighborhoods students would like to live in.I know the area well, and would be happy to help any way possible.Sean

The barrier is not technological capability - there are 10s of thousands such buildings in Europe {search on Passivhaus} - but lack of will (economic and political).Equally important, and potentially more difficult problem to solve, is retrofitting of existing building stock to achieve significant energy use reductions in a cost effective manner.  

That being said, I've seen successful renovations first hand, so why not do it myself!

After a completed first purchase and property management have proven themselves, then I consider it a lot less important to return to the area for a first hand look at additional properties.