We avoid this in Riverside by not playing in the MLS, but if you are going to play in the MLS, remember that you need to tailor your offer to the property to maximize results.

For this year, I decided to use my spreadsheets of previous years results, to pick off a few select certificates on really nice properties in the Sedona area.I knew this meant my interest rates would be on the lower end, but still better than savings accounts, CD's, and Money Market funds.

Jon -While I agree that for most people in most situations, a house is *NOT* an investment, I also think that that your analysis above for the value of a low-interest loan is actually a great argument for why more people *SHOULD* be buying homes and taking out a loan.While not everyone will be able to take the money and generate a significant enough return that the result will be substantially beneficial, there are a lot of people (like most of us here on BP) that have the right mentality to make that achievable.Again, for the general public that has little expertise, interest or experience with investing, I completely agree with you.

The address matches the website nad the name matches as well.

In essence, you need to compare apples to apples to see if your return matches up to alternative investments.As far as valuating a property, never rely on assessed values or "zestimates" from zillow.

Holding a property for one year and a day results in long term capital gains.

In other words, if your company offers a 401k match, the matching funds is not eligible for loans, just teh moneies you vested yourself.My question to you is the same, why would you not want to take the loan?

Seems to accelerate the filtering into focused results.

You will get better results!

Most of the homes need work, that you know low income buyers will not have the funds to perform..The result is the homes continue to go down hill, and continue to drag down the neighborhood.It's a viscous cycle funded by tax dollars.