If you were to add inflation also to the equation, then after 30 years the very rationality of waiting that long then becomes a serious question.If 8.5% seems high for a conventional mortgage, mortgage rates in 1984 were in the 13% range (18% in 1981 and still in double digits by 1986).

What he provides  is  the deal and he splits it by some ration with the person who funds it.  

Don't rationalize a bad decision saying "there is demand" and "all properties here go for a premium".

You will make mistakes along the way, but don't start rationalizing that the mistakes are OK because you are learning from them. 

I know rationalizing away expenses isn't the way to get a good deal but these seem reasonable to us.

The reasoning was this: each side only had one bedroom and bathroom, and I got scared that in the long term this could stop it from renting consistently.My question is this:  is this a rational concern or generally do 1 bedroom / 1 bathroom units rent as well as other units?

I don't inspect the unit until people are out, and Texas allows 30 days to provide an accounting and rational for any deductions from deposit.

Now you want someone to say you did such a great job on that one, they should take $50k of their money so you can do it again.That kind of thing does happen but it is not very rational.

Hi Gloria,Appraisers can suck to deal with, but if you have good alternative comps and a solid rational for why they are wrong you may have a chance.  

The rest is decoration, and rationalization because the end results from all those "decoration" numbers end up forming the numbers with $$$ in front.The idea is to find micro-markets.