Even 10+ years later, I enjoy reading back over it, reliving the sweaty palm wins, the heart sinking losses and more importantly, seeing the evolution of my mentality and how I dealt with the highs and lows of risk, wins and losses.With that said, I've set a challenge for myself to make $200k in equity over a six month period, June-Dec 2018, investing in a market that I know well but am not physically located in.Details are below - enjoy.Goals1) Buy (5) single family properties in 2018 and get them refinanced into long term mortgages2) Purchase under market and achieve a minimum of $40k in equity per property after all repairs are completed3) Cashflow $250-400/mo after expenses & debt service per propertyFunding1) A single line of credit established on an existing single family property2) Private money from existing private money lenders that I've worked with over the years 3) New lines of credit that I'm currently in the process of setting up on existing properties - probably will not be established until late AugustBackgroundI work in oil & gas and I’m currently on assignment in Mexico and will be here for another 10 months.

Also after you 179 a vehicle you can only take actual expenses, gas, oil changes ect.

@Brian BurkeNot that I am a Houston expert but it may be an interesting area to keep your focus on if it gets hit with oil fears or people selling in advance of an oil-induced decline.

They don't do their own oil changes.

My mind always things in terms of geology and is there oil or mineral wealth and then I go back to tree farming and other things i can grow.

Also, make sure there are no underground oil tanks.  

No changing oil on the lawn or driveway. 

Despite the oil craziness,  its survived and has done fairly well.

Try washing a door with Murphy's oil soap and see if it look more "new", or "new enough" to re-use, and maybe think about just working with the cherry or whatever color the manufacturer put on.Also if the cabinets are not luxury to start with, the finish probably won't make them so, as because as others have said, they lack the special slow close drawers, dovetails, special cabinets, wine rack, moldings, etc... 

Oil field workers.