You'll have more fun doing it for real for yourself in addition.FWIW every successful REI I listen to their story started out pushing a lawnmower or waited tables.

Way out on the plains or deep in the mountains?

This is how you bring something to the table as an incentive for agents to help you.

I've worked as an Architect for the last 10 or so years and I'm ready to sit on the other side of the table as an owner!

I think that with the circumstances you mentioned above, (assuming there's no other offers on the table for this particular house) I think you should have the realtor tell the sellers that this deal is becoming less and less appealing and that you have interests in other houses in the nearby area.

A little fix, and have over $100,000 in equity in a mountain cabin I rent.

You will have to bring some cash to the table, but why do you want to continue paying insurance, property tax and mortgage on a property that isn't being used for anything?

I had a 4 br house that was rented by a couple with 1 kid, they used the spare 2 brs as his & hers office/hobby rooms.HUD has a table online at HUDuser.org for the entire country which lists the average rents for the different bedroom sizes.

Originally posted by @James Mudd:Duncan Taylor ...FHA so I don't tie up a lot of money on one property...also, it won't take me "many" years to get under 80% LTV...just using leverage as best I can.Look at an amortization table, it will take more than 10 years if you make just the normal payment to get under 80% LTV if you put 5% or less down on a 30 year FHA loan.If you are counting on appreciation getting you there faster, I wish you all the luck in the world.

What's a good interest rate, terms, etc that would bring note buyers to the table?