Also, I ordinarily steer clear of condos and prefer single family homes, mostly because condos don't appreciate as fast as SFHs (in most markets) and the HOA can range from being annoying to just downright getting in the way of your real estate plans, plus they can force you to pay assessments for upgrades and repairs to the whole building that run in the thousands of $.However, your market may be different because of crazy CA appreciation, and how young folks just starting out can only afford condos as their first primary residence purchase, leaving you with little choice if you want to dive in today to take advantage of low interest rates and expected appreciation.

When you do this the tax you would ordinarily pay is deferred and you are actually using that tax to purchase more investment real estate.But it's the same story - your intent when you buy your property must be to hold for productive use not primarily for resale.  

Banks and brokerages were paid up front for creating loans while being temporarily insulated from the aftermath of failed loans.The expansion of mortgage products that popularized interest-only loans, only-adjustable rate mortgages, interest-only adjustable rate mortgages, even negative -amortizing “option arm” mortgages that allowed borrowers to actually increase their loan balances, rather than paying their mortgages down.Second-lien purchase mortgages that allowed borrowers to escape both mortgage insurance and a down payment.The loosening of credit standards that allowed borrowers with poor credit, few assets, and/or no verified income to buy homes they would not be able to sustain.Public policy and presidential speeches which created a demand for home ownership even among those who would not ordinarily qualify for mortgages.

Dear Jo-Ann, I appreciate the warm welcome and your support for the troops.

@Vlibhu Arya Ordinarily that would be as big as a red flag can get.

Ordinarily, there's an inflection point on the rate in which it no longer makes sense for them to have you carry the note and they would go seek traditional financing, but the small balance makes it a unique situation.

The Tax Court determined that the rental activity was a trade or business, holding that ordinarily the operation of rental property constitutes a trade or business, and the property itself is not a capital asset.

But I promise you not buying that cute girl a drink at the bar or going golfing with your boss are not troops you want sidelined because you eat potatoes, ramen and have a IRA.

As I went into middle school we were able to connect with a father of a girl who was in my grade and Girl Scout Troop.

My predicament is - I'm not doing anything I wouldn't ordinarily do for my clients as their Realtor offering value for an eventual buy side commission, so I'm trying to figure out what value I can bring that would warrant partnering with me with equity without me coming in with cash.