We are all seduced by the shiny metrics like cash-on-cash returns of Memphis, Cleveland, Akron, and just about any middle American rural city.

If you came at the beginning of the month over Labor Day you could have stopped by the American Royal BBQ competition and sampled BBQ Saturday.  

Me and my wife (Kami) both work for American Airlines in Tempe as Analysts and we have 2 beautiful daughters!

You also have to be good with your money because you can go for months with no income and plenty of expenses.The average agent makes about the average income for an American, and that's before considering the expenses of gas, dues, licensing, marketing, etc.

@Jennifer Darby try American modern

rich dad etc etc. they tend to talk about many things in real estate but at the base its basically the dream of most Americans IE real estate is your path to financial freedom ( and that varies by individual) and if you buy this course you will be on your way.. 

Fidelity, Old Republic, First American etc.....

A quick glance at housing affordability in AustinMedian Household Income App (Forbes): $73,493 ($6,124/mos)Cost of Living (Forbes): 15% above nat'l avgMedian Home Cost (SFR-ABOR Stats): $302,250Assume 5% Down Payment Conventional Loan- 30 year amortization- $15,112.50 down pmt + any closing costs• Percentage of residents with less than $1,000 saved: 56%• https://www.gobankingrates.com/…/…/americans-savings-state/…- $287,137.50 amt financed- 4.375% interest rateHow the payment looks:PI= $1,433 mosIns= $105 mosTaxes= $458.33 mos (Assume $5,500/yr)HOA= $25 mos$2,021.3/mos PITIDTI’sHousing ratio= app 33% @ median income ($2021/$6124)FHA should be at 31% or less with Conv/VA/FHA being around the same although all have exceptions in placeTotal DTIThese hover between high 30%’s to manually underwritten total DTI’s in the 50’s or higher depending on the programs@ 45% Total DTI Ratio and assuming the above PITI pmt that gives a borrower approximately $734 per month in all other creditor debt (cars/cc/personal loans/etc)These numbers are not perfect but are rather a quick illustration of current housing affordability in Austin for Retail Buyers.Summary: Housing is becoming less and less affordable in the COA for end retail buyersAssuming increases in property taxes/insurance/interest rates on the horizon how does this affect us as investors?

I'm not trying to insult you but if you make 1/2 the average income of an American employee then I would say you lack the skills, life experience, or capital to take on investing. 

nice post.. were i see 100% financing is for EXTREMELY experienced operators that have been with their HML for years and years.. and the deals are no more than 60 to 65% LTV.. this does happen.. but its only for those special few repeat clients that have years of working experience with the lender. totally agree on the ones that require a larger fee up front I just hearken on the American Greed episode with Remmington Financial the King of pump and dump due diligence lenders..