The form letter naturally scares the heck out of a lay person.

I'm pragmatic by nature, but not frugal.

The problem I've found is that most of the adequate and cheap accounting software does not keep particularly good track of my tenants.  

It's only a screening tool to decide if a property MIGHT have adequate cash flow.

When the time comes, and you have adequate capital saved, you'll be ready to buy a place - maybe a place of your own to turn into a rental two years later, and you'll find that the ball will be off and rolling.

His attitude is very conservative in nature, so I'm not sure if it is just him or what.Needless to say, I am pretty much going against his advice and aim aiming at a property purchase in the spring of 2007.

reg=cny> 11/2005 - 11/2006 private sector count rose 3,200 jobs (1.2%) to 271,600 jobs(the highest since 2000)> Unemployment rate in Nov 2006 (4.1%) down from 4.6% in November 2005> job growth concentrated in educational and health services (+1300), natural resources, mining and construction (+900), leisure and hospitality (+700), professional and business services (+500), financial activities (+200).

We loan money to flippers, so naturally that’s what I recommend.

It's important to build relationships with these folks, just do it tactfully and professionally.If I were showing up to do an appraisal and the owner or Realtor was there I'm not sure my first thought wouldn't be to be on guard as to attempts to influence me as I'd realize they have a vested interest in the value, I'd think meeting someone I didn't know, that would be a natural thought, initially.I'd think too that if you give comps to them they better be good ones, if they aren't it's a reflection on you.

Keep adequate cash reserves.