We're both ready to use our time to develop a niche in real estate investing and obtain more financial freedom and less job dependence for ourselves and our kids.

is to obtain a real estate brokers license, and begin working part time in commercial real estate as a broker or leasing agent.

Thanks Vic L. and Darryl Dahlen Vic - yes I am talking about gold jewels, not gold bars.But the more general question is ( forgive my ignorance about the gold world), isn't there a standard, (semi-)universal, legitimate appraisal certificate that can be obtained and used to show to these banks.

In another situation, two or more properties are pledged as collateral for a loan where a loan might not be viable or as a function of reducing the lender's risk or as a function obtaining more favorable terms for the borrower such as a higher loan amounts, cash out options and perhaps lower interest rate to name a few.

The challenge was coming up with the remaining funds to purchase the property even if you could assume the existing mortgage.To put some simple numeric examples:Purchase: $100kDownpayment: $20kAssume existing mortgage: $20k (because it's probably been paid down for 20+ years).Funds to close: $60k (plus closing and rehab costs).No other lenders will look at funding the $60k it because they'll want a 1st mortgage position.If the numbers work, best bet is to obtain financing for the purchase and pay off the assumable loan.

I calculated my costs to run about .40 cents a letter (mail merge, stuffing envelop, hand writing address and putting stamp on it) and about .60 for stamp, envelop, ink, paper and obtaining the lead.

What makes this deal a very good deal is your ability to obtain a 4.625 interest rate.

And Joe, our psychic abilities about the power weren't working that day, so we actually called the utility company ;) And yes, our lawyer backed us up all the way through obtaining a judgment.

Did you use zero down payment with the properties obtained with VA loan program?

So I've obtained my first listing of OTC tax liens for sale (came in a giant excel spreadsheet, which I paid for.)