My properties always seem to get more than the Zillow estimates but I can use a percentage increase above the Zillow estimate to figure out what to ask for.

Your best bet is likely to be a hard money loan...in which case they would lend a percentage based of the value and repairs of the house, and you would need to come up with the other part of this...which I think most hard money lenders would be ok with that cash coming from your parents.  

The percentages are covered and how they apply are also covered.  

Keep in mind that the amount of contribution on your LLC is a direct reflection of the percentage of equity you have in the entity.Good luck!!!

Just looking at my own little circle, 2 out of 3 friends found jobs recently, another one went from part-time to full-time, and another who recently lost his job was quickly picked up by another firm.Now, take the small minute percentage of Americans this group represents and multiply across the rest of the nation...

Stephen,Time is money.If you are at the top of your game you expect the money to match.There are too many investors out there who can show me hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars in their bank accounts and stock portfolios etc.All I have to do is have a listing they want to buy.Guys with no money locking up property to try to wholesale commercial real estate and "make it rich" are a waste of my time.I play percentages.A direct buyer has a much higher percentage of closing than a non-direct buyer because there are so many more pieces involved to make a successful transaction.If an investor wastes my time and wasn't a real buyer they are actually taking money from me.The reason is I have nothing to show for working with them versus I could have spent the time with someone who could close the deal.Hard money isn't bad as long as they have some money in the deal.There are a lot of people who don't have 10 cents trying to be something there not.Everybody has to start somewhere so nothing wrong with it.Just be honest about where you are TODAY and where you want to be TOMORROW.Showing a proof of funds valid within the last 30 days would go a long way with a broker/agent to take you seriously.Obviously if you don't have that and are trying some off the wall stuff you will meet a newer agent with very little experience or someone in the game awhile but hasn't had much success.Just like Jake I will vet a potential investor client just as much as they qualify me.If both parties are not asking questions and verifying there should be some serious red flags that come up.

For a personally owned property you just allocate a percentage to personal use and a CPA can tell you how to manage that.I also was wondering  whether a FMV rental to a relative is an issue.  

I have to mail my handyman a spare key for landlord closet if i don't my pm will charge me for key hand off a percentage of the said project.

Those terms sure beat what you'll pay in points and interest-only percentages with hard money...as long as you pay off the balance transfer before the high interest rates kick in.  

For an investment, I would go with the least percentage down. 203k is an option.