It is great that you're learning about investing . . . not only will it give you the knowledge to make your way, but you'll also improve your business as an agent with knowledge in various different aspects of real estate.We welcome you and encourage you to ask any questions that you may have, and where possible, jump in and answer a few as well!

You have access to great info, but you also need to learn a great deal about repair and improvement costs, methods, and materials, and the vendors that provide them.

To be eligible for inclusion into the mortgage, the energy efficient improvements must be "cost effective," i.e., the total cost of the improvements (including maintenance costs) must be less than the total present value of the energy saved over the useful life of the improvements.

How about them astros new and improved batting order going scoreless!!!

Typically what you will find is that they will allow cash out only to 65-75% of your purchase price which leaves a significant portion of your cash and improvements tied up.Better NOT to buy with cash but always make sure there is a note/deed of trust or mortgage filed at closing on the purchase so you are alwys paying off underlying debt.

I guess the only reason could be if I invest into property improvements that benefit the tenant - i.e. energy efficiency in appliances, windows, etc.....

This wasn't due to my exceptional landlording or marketing skills, but simply due to the weather finally improving.

They get pretty serious about protecting that as you are dealing in the hundreds of millions/billions range.Found this on youtube when a student stole a Berkeley professor's laptop:http://www.youtube.com/watch?

I'm guessing it would take anywhere from 1 to 2 years to complete the split and improvements.

Since I do the work myself, I know what I could had done better, and just try to improve on that.