The simple finance maxim comes to mind, "higher risk, higher reward"...Like I said earlier, I'm not in the position to do these financially.

You have to start somewhere and that will not be where you will end up.So, do simple deals to start.

I do work some on the weekends under the table, but nothing on paper.

I concluded it is a really bad idea to rent furnished except for fringe markets (corporate rentals, vacation properties).Some simple examples of the negatives.Lots of inventory to manage and evaluate when changing tenants.

It sounds simple but something tells me it isn't.A secondary inquiry would be whether or not I could sensibly handle multi-unit (5-plus units) properties using commercial loans - an area I've never venture or come close to inquiring or learning much about.

Maybe it is best to keep things simple if the other side is shaky.

I asked if she was going to rehab the house and sell it and she said she was.I took out some paper and said, "Let me break it down for you and ask some questions."

A simple sale where the loans are being cashed out in the end means there will be no real impact if there is a 2nd.A subject-to deal or a short sale could be different as you have two lenders.

Hey REI, :protest: I have to deffer with you on this subject because in some states All Pre-foreclosures for certain county's are posted in small news papers and at the court house.

I mean heck, with Zillow's super-duper-technologically-advanced appraisal algorithms still way off in a lot of areas in the country, I would be hesitant on how accurate a simple 'drive-by' appraisal would be.