Granted a 99% decline (like JDSU) in real estate is ridiculous but a 50-60% decline, especially in markets that saw 100% price increases, would not be all that difficult to fathom.Those banking that this housing decline is in the 8th or 9th inning are trying to catch a falling safe and you know what they say about trying to catch a falling safe...you get crushed.

Extending Jeff's points a bit.If you pool money with 1 person you can still be in violation of the security laws.

We even offered to put down a pet security deposit and even use a product called SoftPaws (a high density rubber cap that is applied to cats nails to prevent them from scratching things, perfectly safe and harmless, plus, its better than declawing!)

Granted that is exactly what happens when there is a foreclosure plus investors chasing short sales.

I worked extensively with a big time REI guy here in Tucson and was very hot and heavy to buy my first home but have decided to hold off while the values keep slipping in our area.I still have a very strong interest in securing some properties domestically in the next year or two, specifically income producing properties.Beyond that I am always open to any extra streams of income (legitimate ones) so hopefully I can find some info here on markets I may not have investigated yet.

The buyer would need to secure financing (hard money or traditional financing), have enough to cover the payments until it sells, they need to sell the home which might take a couple months or more, etc...

Granted they get a cut, but at the same time it gives me the safety that I am dealing with someone who knows everything necessary in the area I plan on buying real estate.

It is always best to have more than one lender.In Charlotte, we have yet to secure any finance, and we have deals on the table ready to go.

Granted some hard money lenders will not want to do such a deal as it means you as the borrower is more likely to lose control of the project.John Corey

Tell the security guard:"I'm a property manager for ____ st""I'm a repo man, I'm here to get a car""I'm here for the open house" :mrgreen: I've also used a lot of lines that failed horribly.