Real estate is a hobby, and this forum is a great resource to learn about US Real Estate.Have been to South Bay area a couple of times, and really loved the atmosphere there.Am trying to buy a property in US for investment purposes, in the range of $100K.Hope to get answers and help from all you people on this great forum.ThanksAbeer Bagul

I only rent my properties out, but I am always fascinated by how people can really calculate ARV, especially in a fluctuated markets and the "mark to market" atmosphere we are in.

For investors it is a great atmosphere and property taxes are next to nothing.

This creates an atmosphere of selling property well below the market value.

The atmosphere is hyped up.

:So since it's a "fact" to you liberals (even though your scientists admit to miscalculations) tell us what is causing the so called temp changes...As Mike pointed out above, it has nothing to do with liberal or conservative...scientists on both sides are pretty convinced that warming is happening, they just disagree on whether it is man-made or not (and that has nothing to do with this discussion)...Now, as for the reason the climate changes drastically over large periods of time, the general scientific concensus is that changes in the amount of oxygen and greenhouse gases in our atmosphere leads to climate change.

Jamie,The lending atmosphere is very reserved right now.

This means properties that are no bigger than 1800 SqFt/ 167 SqM (stay away from high end/move up properties/apartments/commercial properties for now until you build enough of your bankroll) and properties that reflect the median price of your city which is ~$550,000 - these kind of properties will cater to first time home buyers or renters who want to get out of the apartment atmosphere and move into a private home environment.Once you have targeted your properties, you need to determine your purchase price.

This "experience" is one reason stores like Starbucks have people shelling out $5 a cup for lousy coffee and milk - you simply cannot beat the casual, yet classy, atmosphere of their lounge-type stores, with the easy-listening jazz playing over the speakers, your poets and would-be screenwriters banging out their next masterpiece on their laptop computers, and Realtors or notaries in the corner signing offers and loan docs.

I hope to meet some great people here and enhance a collaborative vs. competitive atmosphere.