They bought a home expecting the only cost of homeownership to be PITI and never took account for lawn maintenance, utilities, cost of upkeep, capital improvements, etc....

I know I will get others to argue that paying all cash and owning property free and clear is the "safe" way to invest, and improves cash flow, but it also eliminates the power of leverage which is one of the greatest tools in RE investing.The key is to not over-leverage and to buy correctly.

I know getting any cash out above my initial investment and documented improvements on an unseasoned non owner occ prop is a chore right now (and I don't need the cash above that, but will want it when I can get it) but I know there are routes for it with solid credit (which I have) and good reserves (again which I have).

They keep coming back with more hang ups, like “subject property value has increased more than 5% in less than 90 days and requires a detailed breakdown of all improvements with the associated costs and may require a second full appraisal.†Does anyone have any thought or ideas on this?

Lenders do not want to see lots of income that is from sources other than the rents when they value the building and determine the loan.Better to upgrade the units or other things that will improve the rental income.

As opposed to how flipping is done today, where you have to do improvements to the property in order to achieve the higher sell price.

Having a local buddy "help" on the work wasn't too great as we worked at MUCH DIFFERENT SPEEDS, and had different ideas on amount of improvements and types of tenants.BTW, when I say "flipped" I don't mean it in the same sense that others, including HUD mean it.

The primary investment focus is on high growth opportunities in Information Technology, Consumer, Internet/New Media, Clean Energy and Retail.

Dan :idea: Your Own Homes Improvement Outline (One for the Ladies) by: Dan AuitoThis report is written for those people who may want to improve or update their own home so along those lines, I would like to give you an overview of the factors that may lead you in creating a more effective and successful home improvement project or plan of your own.Let me begin by saying what a home improvement plan will not do!

Not suggesting you were going to but, once most investors find out that investing is actual work and not yachts and palm tree's, they quit.I have to say that I don't think it's a efficient idea to send multiple letters to an owner in foreclosure.