You need to have enough cash to lock these deals up and occasionally eat a $500 earnest money payment from a deal that didn't end up closing for whatever reason.  

Years down the road, someone want to buy or sell real estate, settle an estate or simply pops back up on radar with accounts we can garnish.Suck it up, eat the cost and try to minimize it.  

Car payment, cell phone, cable TV or eating out?

Perhaps its a bit out of your area but its a good way to get in.Keep in mind, that with FHA financing the Mortgage Insurance on the loan eats a lot into your cash flow.

I have to go compile a list of questions that are eating at me now.

Closing costs and commissions will eat your lunch.  

And the reason 80% of the mortgage brokers are gone is that part of the Act that says, in effect, "if you buy it you eat it"!  

The 50% limit applies to business meals or entertainment expenses you have while: Traveling away from home (whether eating alone or with others) on business,Entertaining customers at your place of business, a restaurant, or other location, orAttending a business convention or reception, business meeting, or business luncheon at a club."

I threw the stove out and replaced it with a microwave and a undercounter 1/2 refrigerator and hoped whom ever rented it would eat out.  

As such, we meet at a local bar/restaurant and the only cost is whatever one eats or drinks.