My impression as well would be that free-and-clear properties make trial lawyers' mouths water, and that the presence of the debt will give some natural lawsuit immunity should you become a potential target, so that has some value in our litigious society.I would also take advantage of the low fixed rates and great buyers market, using your payoff cash to grow your little empire.

You can use portfolio loans later after you've grown your empire to 10 houses.

I want your help in starting to build my real estate empire.  

I am always looking for wholesale investments in land. 

I've put higher end flips in land trust because it was cheaper than paying closing cost selling the traditional way.

Plus, I attribute much personal happiness to being near the water since I'm an avid surfer, and thus cheaper inland LA still doesn't make sense ;)

The downsides include property management is costly, more so that inland, or more than in regular non resort areas. 

Hello, I don’t know about property management companies or the best neighborhoods to target but my take on it is as you head toward Ventnor it’s not as rough, inlet is ok but some of the neighborhoods more inland (in the wide section of the city) I would be careful with.  

Had the opportunity to attend The Commercial Empire Conference in Cleveland Ohio this week and wanted to give a quick review on here for anyone that may come across it.

@Quinn PreeceHere are my favorite books:Multifamily Millions by Dave LindahlThe ABCs of Real Estate Investing by Ken McElroyThe Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Apartment Buildings by Steve BergesCommercial Real Estate Investing by Dolf De RoosTrump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received by Donald TrumpTax Free Wealth by Tom WheelwrightCommercial Real Estate 101: How Small Investors Can Get Started and Make It Big by David LindahlRaising Private Capital: Building Your Real Estate Empire Using Other People’s Money by Matt FairclothThe Definitive Guide to Apartment Marketing by Josh GrilloInvesting in Apartment Building by Matthew MartinezCrushing It in Apartments and Commercial Real Estate by Brian H MurrayThe 7 Secrets to Successful Apartment Leasing by Eric Cumley2 Years to a Million in Real Estate by Matthew MartinezBurn Zones: Playing Life’s Bad Hands by Jorge NewberyCommercial Mortgages 101: Everything You Need to Know to Create a Winning Loan Request by Michael ReinhardIt’s a Whole New Business!