Keep that private money working for you and earning a healthy rate of return for your investors and you're now in a great spot if you can keep the mill churning.

That is a healthy option price and it will strengthen your contract considerably.

Originally posted by @Bryan Hancock: Most countries want a healthy capital market and positive foreign direct investment numbers.

The only thing you have not factored in is during a recession, a lot of people LOSE their JOBS which result in rents DECREASING and vacancies increasing.Having said that, if your cashflow is healthy now, during a recession, your cashflow will decrease and might even be $0.

I've realized that it'll be difficult to scale on a part time basis while keeping a healthy family life, and I like my current profession too much to leave.  

You have a healthy down payment now, even with 50k, so don't wait till next year because in Chicago you will pay 5-10% more holding out 12 months.  2015 is the year for the Cubs and for @Daniel L. to buy his first three flat!!!

So a starting low cap of 4 and healthy increases gives them a blended cap rate of 5.5 to 6% over time.As a seller or a developer I would also think to myself to sell to these buyers for a premium.

I have a healthy rehab/unforeseen issues allowance budgeted, and have set my max bid, but am hung up on the post-auction/closing routine.

Thanks for the kind words everyone...it's important and healthy for the this community to inform each other of common pitfalls that can derail our goals!  

Tier 2: People in your network who have seen how you run your business and are willing to invest, provided they get a healthy return and feel comfortable in said investment.