I'm really entertained by those starting out themselves, who believe themselves to be from affluent backgrounds (new money families) when they find out they qualify for benefits or can't qualify on their own steam for a median priced home.

There are some great benefits from that status it's tough to find an exact and "official" definition.

If you can handle the negatives from a cash flow perspective, and it helps you to reduce your taxable basis from other incomes ($$$ benefit), and you are counting on long-term appreciation, I feel this is still a strong strategy.

Right now i'm in an area that is considered a "buyers market".. not sure how this would benefit an investor since everybody is looking to cash out in this area.I have my first prospect on a nice 3bd single family home owner is asking 86,500 for it.. other houses in the area are going for 95k I know this could be a good investment..i'm sure i can get her down to 80k and possibly 78k.

Add back the tax benefits from starting up my own business and I'm showing a small profit (ROI, not including any appreciation, is around 3%).

Directly for the military and associated costs, indirectly by sending our dollars for fuel to the governments that support terror.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS deal with a deliquent tenant ONLY when you have a court date...delaying filing the proper pay or quit and eviction court paperwork ONLY benefits the tenant.If you want to stay a landlord, get a good L-T attorney - NOT a real estate attorney - and follow what the attorney does and go to each and every court date so that you learn what to do and how to do it....most states are fairly easy and the court paperwork is available online...just learn the ropes so you are not so fearful and don't loose months of rent to a "professional" tenant in the future.

What are the benefits of flipping vs. renting properties?

Most lenders, brokers and realtors have learned how to gloss over these disclosures to their own benefit and not the benefit of the client.

What are the benefits?