Stay away from the “guru” sales-pitch events - they rarely increase your investment knowledge, they merely empty your wallet!

I have attended a few seminars that always pitched a system that they were selling smh, but the only thing I wanted to know was, What is my first step in getting started in the Real Estate Industry?

At some level, I imagine you still like the area as well.2) If you actually think the sale is the better option then what is your window for minimizing capital gains taxes?

Stay away from the “guru” sales-pitch events - they rarely increase your investment knowledge, they merely empty your wallet!

If that is what the market holds, yes but, if the market in the area is 90 days, and the REO stigma is minimal, denying a short sale at a 20% discount, taking the property into REO and preparing it for open market.

I'm brainstorming to come up with 15% to try and go conventional and also found a nice sfr I could pick up for around 100k and put minimal into and get 15-1700 a month.  

I might even fix up the electrical enough to get power up, since I can do all that, and the cost of materials is next to nil, and that will enable me to run fans to air out the property, power tools to do the "puttering around," etc.2) If that fails to make it attractive enough for a cash buyer, offer the best terms possible to minimize the rehabber's out-of-pocket expenses and facilitate the easiest deal.

I suggest minimizing all depreciating items (such as cars, boats, etc).

If its damaged, it can be repaired or replaced for minimal cost.

Alfonso - Please use your introduction to tell people about yourself, not to pitch.