On the surface, it looks like the interest-only is a better deal (less down and less per month) accept that every interest only loan that I know of is variable and has a relatively short balloon date.

I read where most of you have regrets about the deal you *didn't* do and the investor vs. observer thing but I'm still having trouble deciding how to convince myself to leave the relative safety of knowing I can make all my payments to letting other people make them for me and worrying about what happens if they don't later on.

ShowMatch=real+estate&ShowStatus=allAnd, you can grab real-estate related podcasts, download them, and listen to them from here: http://www.podcast.net/search It's not radio exactly, but they're options!

The problems that I dealt with during my first year as a landlord:Water pipe burst / total rehab of 1 unitPay-as-you-go general contractor that didn't finish the work on the unitMold / complaint filed with Health DepartmentCrack in foundation that let water come into 1 unit every time it rainedGot locked in to a below-market-rent section 8 rentalMarketing for vacant unitsTenant disputesSection 8 dispute (although in this case it earned me $1900 :mrgreen: )Fortunately I haven't had to deal with evictions yet, but I know they'll come in due time.

I posted this under the rehab section - though I might get more play here...Short version of my question :After much research I believe it would be relatively easy to consistantly turn houses for a quick $10-12k net profit...on a 90 day average turn.

I have relatives in OR, CA, and TX, so I could possibly (depending on the exact location) have family be property managers for me while I am gone.

Most commercial lenders are not so much concerned with the borrower's financial record and qualifications as they are about the mortgage property value.As opposed to banks, commercial lenders are able to give funding commitments in a relatively short amount of time.

Hi Vera, I am Dwayne from Chicago and I want to give you props because I have a great many relatives there including my beloved grandma.

Ask the great people here anything your heart desires related to real estate.

(probably gift from relative if that), desire for this house - incredible.