A common theme I see around here lately is that everyone wants some sort of magic touch to find out about real estate investing.

I know a lot of people will read the headline of this blog and move right along to something else.Because, in reality, there’s definitely a segment of investors - particularly new investors - who aren’t in the position to actually pay cash for an investment property… at least an investment property that’s habitable and in a respectable area.But, for those of you in the position where you could pay all cash for an investment home, I’m sure you’ve debated the idea of paying cash, or using a mortgage - leverage - to help pay for the property.This is a long-standing debate in the investment world and one that really doesn’t have a magic bullet answer.At the end of the day, the answer all comes down to your personal needs and wants and what makes the best sense for you as an investor.So, I thought I would spend some time discussing Pros/Cons of both and also talk about how we’ve used both over the years during our investment ventures.Pros of Paying Cash for a Rental Home Initial Cost Savings - Mortgages aren’t free.

I feel like I am getting close to that magic "financial freedom" mark. 

Like any landlord, no screening company has a magic wand that can detect false information on an application.

Was this just some excel magic or did you use some other software or programming language?

Also, these options near the Bay area are increasingly rare.Beyond that, I think you look at communities with the magic combination of decent prices, job & population growth, and a reasonable (and trending reasonable) regulatory environment.

@Josh Howard Now, that is the magic question!

I'm seen stagers work magic. 

Tore off every closet door, kicked holes in the walls, ripped towel racks off the walls, cut holes in screens, flooded out the laundry room, left pink magic marker all over the carpet in the downstairs family room, stole two new rugs. 

Real estate at the small investor level is pretty easy to learn, but the gurus play on those that want it now, quick, no real learning required in 3 or 4 steps, that isn't real estate, more like magic or witchcraft and folklore for a wheeler dealer. :)