I have a really good Microsoft excel spreadsheet that I like to use when I'm figuring out numbers on potential properties.

Making accelerated payments on your own home is an excellent strategy as that debt is not earning you any money.

For others, a tablet device is simply an excellent sales presentation tool.Gift card from a local eatery near office or home: Restaurants, lunch spots, or even local coffee shops offer gift cards for your real estate professional.

As one loan is paid off, the extra payment plus the payment from the paid off loan is paid to the next loan in line.I built an excel spreadsheet that allows me to determine the extra payment necessary to hit our 5 year retirement goal, but it is not as robust as I would like.

I think this is an excellent question.

s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1386366522&sr=1-1&keywords=Private+Real+Estate+Investment%3A+Data+Analysis+and+Decision+Making%3A+Second+editionI haven't read the book yet, so I am not going to endorse it.

Excellent way to get paid twice on one deal, Anna.

@J Scott and @Steven Hamilton II have provided excellent interview questions in previous posts, which I will use as a guide.

I have already determined that I like the numbers on this property and the location is excellent.

If you own it free and clear, it will not hurt you in getting a loan on another property, it will just not help you by providing additional income.Start keeping excellent records now...you are going to need them later.