While I believe that the politics of all this should be discussed - I won't allow it outside the political forum.My post that you've deleted, Josh, was meant to be purely humorous, not at all political.

I keep reading about these homes that you can pick up for $15-$30K and that you can rent for around $600/month.I'm wondering if they will ever see any appreciation, or at the very least hold value.Are these homes just pure cash flow plays where you put in X amount of dollars and get a near ad infinitum cash flow from rental, but you wont really ever get your initial capital back out?

Assuming your rent assumptions are accurate, assuming there is no major differed maintenance issues, and assuming there is nothing out of the ordinary that would impact your NOI (such that your expenses were much more than 50%), this deal sounds great from a purely financial perspective.Obviously, there are other considerations (location, management, etc), but again, just looking at the numbers, it looks good on paper.

Diesel uses no heat, it is purely compression-based.

I agree with Jonwith one additionaly angleFrom a purely investment point of view, when do you/your family member feel that these properties will be worth more than they paid?

Investor and Joshua.Joshua, it was pure economics.

Purely cosmetic, down to the studs, need to pull wire and plumb?

Pure fun!

It's price is purely speculative.

IMO, if a seller who is new to RE uses this and is successful in closing a deal, it will be because of pure luck.