Ted, that reminds me of a REO years ago whee I just felt that the bank was trying to cut a deal with a favored buyer.

If you sell it and take a loss it will hurt your ratio If you hold it and rent it for a loss, it may hurt the ratio less as you're not experiencing the complete loss right away Maybe you could owner finance it to a non-conventionally qualified buyer for more favorable terms.

If on the other hand you collect a non-refundable option consideration and at the time they go to move out you offer them an incentive (lets say $500) to clean up real good then you're doing them a favor.

I have noticed that people on both extremes of the political spectrum often suspect the government of being against their end of the spectrum, which probably means the government is not really favoring either side.On a more important note, I have no idea why we even have hate crimes.

I am quite confident that my investment abilities compare favorably to yours.

I never said it favors homeownership vs. renting...did I?

It's in your favor as a purchaser to combine, but against your favor as a seller to do so.However, combining a lease with an option may violate the due on sale clause if there is a mortgage on the property.

It is possible that certain types of activity could unravel the favorable tax treatment with a one-size-fits-all fund.

Sometimes it's a grind, but keep mailing till the numbers work in your favor.

The investor becomes the "lender" and is more likely to deal favorably with the seller than a shark...um, I mean bank.