I'm a rehabber in SECT.You've found a great forum to research all different aspects of r.e. investing.

At the same time, I agree with you Mark Ferguson - I think a lot of people buy into the belief that simply buying it will make them successful, but they totally overlook the actual "work" aspect of it.

Third you have to define and stick to what your business model is.

I think a "controlling interest" would be just as much or more of a concern to a lender as an "equitable interest".I'm unclear on California law as there is much mention of land contracts and installment sales in the codes (and that they are considered transfers of interest), but I can't find anything that defines an option to purchase and how it relates to transfer of interest.

When setting an occupancy policy, landlords should define the occupancy limit in terms of the number of occupants.

I've seen such vague ordinances being held unconstitutional, a recent issue was with three or more blocking sidewalks, calling it disruptive, but disruptive was not clearly defined and no one knew what conduct was expected.

You are a have or a have not as defined by your real estate holdings.

See http://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/REISkills/file/contract-for-option-to-purchaseRight of First Refusal (ROFR) and Right of First Negotiation are preemptive rights to purchase specific real property at some future time upon certain defined terms and conditions.

Many of the institutional investors who are buying up Atlanta (and other cities) right now are working off 100% debt and are tremendously competitive (if you define competitive to mean they have an acquisition advantage).

I work alot in Durham and it is definately on the upswing if you ask me.