Do I advertise in the paper, online, or where.

In my experience, trying to buy short sales or at the courthouse can be a beating, especially in a competitive market.As with just about any business, the key is to find a way to connect directly with distressed home sellers where you aren't competing with every other investor or first time home buyer out there.There are a lot of ways to do this - post-it note canvasing, direct mail, TV advertising to zip codes ($25 - $50 per spot), targeted internet marketing, etc.

Advertise to the public and make connections at the local REI group.

I am not too worried, I have reserves I have been building up since I first started renting these places out and I have been advertising the units for a while and have some prospects lined up.

I didn't put the addresses because I didn't read all the blog rules and didn't want to seem like I was advertising for any body.

There are people like me who call you out and remove your litter, deliberately depriving you of your advertising in the process and making your life a nightmare. 

Your huge net is all of your advertising, bird dogs and networking to get leads.

They are busy and have no need to advertise!

Jon H warned you about being careful advertising the amount of money that you have available.

So, I have decided to put a post up and share a permanent link for the spreadsheet.Here's a quick rundown of what it does.Calculates mortgage payment.Calculates down payment (assumed 25%, but can be adjusted)Calculates taxes, insurance, property management fees, misc. fees, etc.It also will take into account maintenance, estimated revenue increases, advertising, utilities, total cash outlays, etc.etc.At the bottom of the spreadsheet in red is your total net profit or loss.