Hopefully I can get 2-3 properties at one time doing this.The duplex is just icing on the cake using the VA loan to start adding long term rental properties to my portfolio.

Gotcha, well you could always factor the MER lien into your Max Offer and if you don't have to pay it or are able to settle with them, its just icing on the cake.

I am 50 years old and have decided to get into rentals to supplement my income and possibly retire at 60 (any earlier would be icing on the cake).Is anybody else in a similar situation?

Then you can include what you have to offer as icing on the cake.

The icing on the cake it's a less risky way too invest because you don't have to take a single dollar of debt!

Hi Christopher, I personally look at KPI’ s like cash flow first and only consider appreciation as icing on the cake.

I set my deal up so that the cash flow would exceed my down payment by the end of the term, ensuring me a profit, and any appreciation if I decide to purchase would be icing on the cake.

I know many, many Landlords that think they're successful and real estate investing is a cake walk...until reality happens.

Basically your tenants save money for you by paying your mortgage. and then the real icing on the cake...appreciation.

I was helping a client run numbers on an STR in Anaheim about 5 years ago, around the time they were about to be banned from the city.