I've only recently become interested in real estate investing and have spent the last several months digesting books, magazines, DVDs and TV shows on the subject.

I know people are making money in real estate but I also read the post where the shows on tv are not telling the truth and the profits arent as big as they say, I also have friends who say they make a ton of money in this.

A DBA won't provide that protection.Not a lawyer and don't play one on TV.

The TV is chattle (personal property) and won't affect the value of the home.That doesn't change the fact a lender might be less willing to take it in the shorts if the owner found money for a 70" plasma TV.

Does anyone ever watch this show (one of the many flipping shows TV - "Flip This House, Flip That House", etc. etc.)I LOVE this show.

You have to inventory everything at movein/out, deal with stained table tops and upholstery, and repair/replacement when a tv or other appliance dies during a rental term.Vacation rentals OTOH, must have everything...linens, flatware, small appliances, probably cable and phone, etc. etc. but in theory you get a substantially higher rate for that type of unit.

By looking at the tv show it seem like most of the successfull flips have owners who spend a lot of time in the house making sure everything is going as it should be.

If you are running ads on late night TV then be prepared to have 'operators standings by' when you run the ads.Test, test, test.

Who has done this and had an outcome similar to the guy on tv late at night with the name of the Miami Dolphins Quarterback?

Examples of paid marketing include:1.Direct Mail 2.TV Commercial / TV Infomercial 3.Billboards 4.Newspaper Display 5.Newspaper Classified6.Researchers7.TithingDirect MailI hold to the philosophy that a successful marketing campaign should use a variety of methods to numerous types of prospects to attract responses.