Would love to hear what the cognoscenti have to say about the crystal ball.

I don't have a crystal ball, but when rates drop X years from now, refinance to lock in a new rate and pull your capital back out.

*checks magic crystal ball* nah it's good. 

Originally posted by @Crystal Smith:Originally posted by @Joe Young:Hey everyone, I believe I am now in a position to begin earning passive income. 

No, I don't have a crystal ball but I make decisions based on value & I don't see a lot here.

I am a fairly new Real Estate agent and I work in Northwest Suburbs of Illinois ( Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Crystal Lake and surrounding suburbs) and I am thinking of new ways to advertise and send postcards/flyers to renters hoping to attract first time/after foreclosures etc... home buyers.

In short: figure out what you want from RE, know your comfort level, choose an area you know well, and the path will start to crystalize for you.

No one has a crystal ball and those that say they do are probably looking to sell you a 2 day workshop on how to make millions in the next recession. 

Thanks @Brandon Sturgill @Crystal Smith Account Closed!

http://www.apartment-building-real-estate-investment-for-the-rest-of-us.com/active-real-estate-investor.html Of course I want to find a good market and wish I had a crystal ball to be able to do this. :) Especially, I would love to find property at a greatly reduced purchase price, that didn't take much in the way of work or expense to improve, in an area with good rents and likely to keep increasing in value vs inflation.