It does vary depending on what state you are in.I would put as little money down as possible because whatever money you put down on the home has an oppurtunity cost equal to your interest rate less tax deductions.Lastly keep an eye on the market and make sure you don't buy in the middle of a property downturn, try to buy when the market hits rock bottom.Good luck

The headline rate has already hit 5% in the US.

If you have enough properties (or a large enough single property) to make good use of employees, I feel it is the smartest way to operate...as long as you A) LIMIT the types of work (to minimize injury risk...a worker's comp experience mod increase can put you out of business); B) pay what is necessary to attract a WELL qualified employee (NOT your typical "handyman"); C) are an efficient project manager, or are willing to delegate that task to the employee...and generally support his decisions/timelines.If you try to micromanage...you will have turnover, which will be more costly than hiring a contractor.

I would look to find as many homes in an easy to work area and hit the dense areas first.

And, I have heard that values have not gone down much at all, unlike most of the rest of the country - all those Microsoftees, dontcha know.Yeah, values are still holding pretty steady right now in most areas.Down south though, Tacoma etc. is really taking a hit though.

THAT HITS THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD!!!

Stocks have really taken a hard hit, as real estate has as well, however if you stick to the basics, which I have done despite other trying to get me to change, you can cashflow properties and that doesn't change.I still have rental units, they still give me the same amount of money.

Bush has not objected when the big firms and rich executives of Wall Street have been on the receiving end of federal assistance, but now he is threatening to block a measure to aid hard-hit neighborhoods filled with ordinary Americans.I think its an ugly situation that these two entities have been structured so any rewards go to the shareholders and especially executives and risks get moved to the taxpayers.

Also, I remember seeing in the news or on the internet places like Thousand Oaks, Oxnard were hit bad due to the subprime downturn.

The Condo needs a lot of work, but is located in a great location,a desirable complex with only 4 Units, and more importantly No Condo fee, which will keep holding cost down.Unit is pretty trashed, needing just about everything.Kitchen, Bathroom, Walls, Doors, Carpets, Appliances, the whole worksI think the Condo could sell rather easily for $105,000 possibly more all fixed up.Figuring $60K to buy, $20K to bring Condo up to mint condition, minimal holding cost, does this Unit hit the Buy and Flip radar for a first timer ???