I look at it more as icing on the cake when the time comes for me to divest. 

If the deal makes sense, the tax benefits are just icing on top.

I think people look at real estate the wrong way and want the loss to offset their W-2 income.The first and most benefit goal with real estate is that your cash flow and appreciation is not taxed.if you are making 8% from cash-flow and appreciation and it is not taxed, imagine how quickly your wealth can grow.If you can offset the rental loss with your income income, that is just icing on the cake.

I live in southern maine and Im just about ready to break the ice with a first purchase.

Because I buy houses on Subto.The only thing I am really interested in is the mortgage payment I’m taking over.That’s why it’s called “Subject to existing financing”.If I can cover that with rental payments from the tenants I put in the property……and I ALWAYS do.It’s effectively free money.So I get to own a property without using any of my own money.AND……there’s no credit checks, no credentials needed, no tax returns to submit and no checking of my bank statements.It’s the dirty little secret behind why my property portfolio is growing as fast as it is.Because I can do deals like that all day long.Here’s what that means…I have a ton of properties that are appreciating in value…….that cost me ZERO dollars of my own.I have to pinch myself sometimes that it’s this good.And the icing on the cake…?

I have one When he moved in, he hooked up his cable TV, bought a new frig with water and ice in the door, new washer and dryer, those fancy round door ones and new furniture for the living room.

It's hard to say which is the icing and which one is the cake, cash flow or appreciation. 

As a wholesaler you don't have a ice cube's chance on a hot sidewalk of dealing at this level with commercial buyers who really don't need you or will need you ever again.In other words, you're elephant hunting with a BB gun. 

But, I would also like to add in the note to make sure they post something on the Welcoming Forum, as to me it is the ice breaker.

Just saw another thread about asking a question on the phone, thought this might help people get past the cill and break the ice for cold calls or calling on sellers or buyers about a property.So, ring, ring, ring, Hello.....now what do you say?