If the contract to purchase is on an REO or short sale and you can't change the purchaser's name, you may want to consider a very tight partnership agreement between you and the partner, even though title will be taken in the name of only one of the parties.

I plan to buy a rental property with cash from personal assets (stock market) and I plan to have the title held in an s-corp, for liability protection.

In the BiggerPockets Blog today, blogger Jason Hanson wrote a post titled, The Halloween Deal Finding Real Estate Marketing Plan.I wanted to see if any of you used the holidays in a similar way to do your own marketing?

I am not a tax adviser, and you should ask someone who is, but here is my understanding.If it is for business, you can usually deduct it.Meals: if it is you and your real estate agent, attorney, title agent, insurance agent, property manager, etc. and you are discussing your investing, it is probably deductible.

Here's was my Pre-Purchase Checklist when I first started:Upon Contract AcceptanceEnsure Access to Property: * Make Copy of Property Key(s) * Purchase New Lockbox * Place Key(s) in Lockbox and Install at Property (hidden)If Certified Funds are Required for EM: * Get Certified Funds for EM from Bank * Submit Certified Funds to AgentIf Financing the Purchase: * Send Contract to Loan Officer * Provide Loan Officer Property Info * Connect Loan Officer with RE Agent Info * Have Loan Officer Schedule Appraisal * Make sure Loan Officer Knows Anticipated Closing DateDue DiligenceInspections: * Turn On Utilities for Inspection (water, gas, electric) * Schedule Termite Inspection * Schedule Property Inspection * Attend Inspection and Take Notes for “Scope of Work” * Get Final Inspection Report and Review for “Scope of Work” * Get Termite Letter/Pest Inspection ReportContractor Prep: * Create Scope of Work * Create Materials List * Determine Which Contractors Are Needed: * GC * HVAC * Roofer * Electrician * Plumber * Pest/Termite Control * Painter * Landscaper * Carpenter * Schedule GC Walk-Through(s) * Get Contractor QuotesPurchase Decision: * Perform Final Financial Analysis Using Estimates/Quotes * Perform Both Flip and Rental Analysis * Make Go/No-Go Decision on PurchaseUpon Contingency FinalizationFinal Purchase Prep: * Get Closing Date from Lender/Agent * Arrange Landlord Insurance Policy * If Financing, Connect Insurance Agent with Loan Officer * Follow-Up on Appraisal with Lender * Choose a General Contractor * Choose Sub-Contractors (if no GC) * Determine Exit Strategy * Create Rehab Schedule (if no GC) * Create Final BudgetPrior to ClosingFinal Loan and Closing Prep: * Obtain and Review HUD-1 * Obtain and Review GFE (if financing) * Ensure Loan is Ready for Closing (if financing) * Get Certified Funds for Closing * Determine How to Hold Title * Get Partnership Agreement Documents Signed (if partnering)Upon ClosingDay of Closing: * Get Keys * Change Property Tax Records to Home Address * Get GC and Sub Contracts/Docs Signed * Arrange GC and Sub Start Dates

Will this all be done with city plan check, approval and get on to title?

I would much rather have a way of verifying people's names so they aren't on here using a handle or phony identity.

My agent doesn't even attend closing or have any follow-up with the title company or my lender.

Fact of the matter, the mortgage in and of itself as a lien in the chain of title can not be "extinguished" or canceled.

Will the title company require the seller to be present at closing?