You make money on the sale, the home builders earn their money and the new owner is thrilled with their new space.

I think the growing demographic of older Americans, empty nesters and other individuals and couples would be thrilled to not have to rent, share space, or pay larger utility bills and maintain a space larger than needed.

Living in a humbler home (i.e. cheaper with less thrills) will give you a better long term investment.

I am absolutely thrilled that so many of you full time investors chose to chime in and tell us your story.

By no means am i trying to be a hero, but your thinking has created a challenge and opportunity that doesnt outweigh the reward- Ive always been a risk taker, not for some "thrilling feeling", but because i know that no matter what happens, absolutely anything, EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING will be OK.

I would be thrilled to have an unemployed tenant simply disappear and not cause damage!

I'm not sure the bank would even allow you to charge the seller the difference -- on the HUD, the bank would protest, and POC you'd be breaking the short sale affidavit you signed saying there were no financial agreements other than what was disclosed on the HUD.It's all well and good that you take a hard stance with the bank -- and it's great if they cave and you get your desired commission -- but arguing that you have any legal right to a certain percentage doesn't make sense to me; and implying that you'd forego the transaction or charge your client the difference seems flat out unethical for a short sale.Again, as a licensed agent myself, I'm thrilled if you can get every possible penny from the bank, but your stance seems a bit too ideologic here, as opposed to doing what's best for your client.Just my $.02...

In the mean-time, I will check out uDirect IRA services as we have not been 100% thrilled with Equity Trust.

How to handle Returns, %'s, my time managing the renovation, then my time managing the property, etc......Keep in mind I am interested in buy and hold, not fix and sell.Slightly complicating this is that though I am a buy and hold guy I'm not thrilled about the idea of holding a property for several years with a relative knowing the property management issues that might arise.

I'm sure IBM would be thrilled to deal with higher income and the taxes that go with it.For the most part, as long as taxes are not at 100%, you are better off making more.