I am curious. This is a great community and I enjoy it immensely as do many others. IMO you have chosen some great MODS. I am curious how you select them.

MODERATOR:  ADVICE ON FINDING HMLS ONLY IN THIS THREAD. 

Moderately restored, but furnace replacement and some roof work could be imminent. 

If you have to choose between two markets: one that's showing LOTS OF POTENTIAL FOR APPRECIATION but only moderate cash flow opportunities, or a market that has properties with HIGH CASH FLOW POTENTIAL, but limited opportunity for appreciation, which one do you prefer?

It has to be moderately safe because of the university, no? 

I think i'm missing something in the REI mindset/ path...If your first duplex is 500k how do you then get another property? Do you just keep counting your pennies until you have another 20% saved (10-15 years later....

200K invested in a moderate risk income fund should produce on average a 10% return.

Down payment assistance programs are typically designed to help individuals or families with lower or moderate incomes achieve homeownership.

These are generally pretty low maintenance, but it is a good idea to remove sediment from time to time because it is bad if it builds up in the pipes.For a red neck fix, next time there is moderate to heavy rain forecast, cover the drain with a piece of plastic or tarp in order to intentionally flood the lot.

What is just as notable is that while flipping across the US is moderating, in some states it is as high as 12% of all sales activity.