So, it seems clear (at least to me) that true profit is gained from a property where the income from rentals amounts to more that all the expenses related to that property.

It should always be "working for you" in one form or another.When analyzing a deal, even a "deal you already own", in order to compare apples-to-apples, you should pretend you have a 30-year 90% mortgage, or pretend to take out a 90% home equity loan on your property, pretend to invest that cash in something relatively safe (or risky as is your risk tolerance allows), add the income from that investment to the rental income, and THEN see if it still positive cashflows.

There is a relatively new strategy called the Deferred Sales Trust or DST.

you have to have an accurate rehab estimate, and the total (purchase+ rehab+ holding/marketing) has to be figured relative to a reasonable sales price.

Property taxes and upkeep costs cower in relation to possible gains, even if just looking to flip.

people love talking about themselves and things that relate to them.

Some differences I've seen are related to water heaters: some cover for "sediment" damage, others don't.

Last I knew it was 10K.I use Moneylender Pro, www.trailsweb.com, which works for me for a relatively small portfolio.

Karkan,You don't need to have the best credit to get a loan, but you do need relatively good credit.

well that's the thing about buyers agency - it's an oxymoron.realtors are supposed to represent their clients to the best of their ability - yet, as a true buyers agent (signed agreement) - you're looking to work for less because you're trying to get the best deal you can for the buyer...now that doesn't always relate directly to the price, but most often i think it does.