I'd be real hesitant to buy MF in an area that doesn't have a good, constant influx of tenants (and as was mentioned, a lack of tenants you'd actually want in your properties).

What's Happening: After living away from Massachusetts for about 20 years, I am moving back.Goals: Accumulate more real estate which I can rent out, ideally closer to cash flowing is better (I realize this will be difficult in Massachusetts, especially some areas)Utilize the benefits being an owner occupier - low down payment and low ratesAlthough I'll move to Mass. in a few months, in about 18 months, I'd like to land in a town with excellent schools and in a property that we will live in for the next 20 years; ie, not constantly move my familyApproaches: Approach 1: Purchase two properties in the next year The first property would be one that we would live in for a year, then move out of and rent thereafter.

If another same-model house has 10 occupants between grandma, grandpa, mom, dad, 4 kids, brother + wife + 2 kids in the same 5-6 bedroom house, why would zoning go out of their way to pick on 4-6 single professionals earning probably 250k+ jointly and being very "green" through their low-carbon living that's kicking their student debt in the teeth?

Being in the desert we constantly have issues with bugs and German Roaches are the most persistent.

We still have a joint account set up since I was in college.Again, I'm helping my parents put the money to use outside of the stock market, any guidance on making this a smooth contract between my parents and I would be helpful.Thanks!!

One here in Oakland, another in Los Angeles.We of course cannot predict the future, but in the above case I just "assumed" that rates don't move one iota between now and a month or two from now.Getting the HELOC first, or getting the HELOC concurrently, priced out with the 1st position 30YF being 0.375% higher (holding constant all fees etc) compared to getting the refinance done first, and then getting the HELOC as a distinct separate transaction.

Investors get letters constantly there are cash offers often at market price if they want to call back.

Even if the rents are already fairly high you can usually get $100 more because you tell the tenants you are going to constantly improve the property.

The one constant across investors that don't do much business is that they want to know property performance up front before they offer...here's the kicker...99% of everything you put into your analysis before you verify is an assumption....compound this with the fact that almost nobody posts their actual operating performance numbers after they close and operate their property... 

And it could take hours of running constantly to do that.So, yes, the tenant who is ignoring you about this should at least be adjusting their thermostat a few degrees to help keep your utility costs down.