@Ben Durwood I just bought a SFH in Grand Rapids, Michigan and cash on cash return is 25% right now.

My name is Marshall Downs and I'm new to the site from Benton Harbor, MI which is about 90 minutes from Chicago and Grand Rapids, 30 minutes from South Bend, IN and I LOVE REAL ESTATE...no kidding.

Has anyone ever taken these classes and gotten the designation?

LOLRE usually falls under the department of finance in business colleges.To get started in a formal education without heading toward a degree program that fits well with real estate, I suggest these areas of undergrad study.Economics 101 and 102Accounting 101 and 102, if you can take managerial accountingPersonal Finance, Money & BankingBusiness Finance 101 and 102 or similar levelsPrinciples of Real EstateBusiness Law and Legal ConceptsThese 10 classes or 30 hours would be a good foundation for RE.There are other courses that can be more specific, like construction management, municiple zoning and design as well as others.Depending on the benefits you might be looking at, you may look into an Associates Degree program at a local university in real estate or finance.IMO, good luck.... :)

I would save over a grand a month this way.

I figure since I am saving money on holding costs ( use bank instead of private or hard money) most of my competiiton is using private or HML  the savings I make I can up grade a few grand and have a nicer finish package and get my houses sold all things being equal...

I want to keep some of the original characteristic of this house but at the same thing bring in some newer design into the property. 

Again, if it were me, I would find a local realtor preferably with a GRE designation behind his name and offer him/her the sale listings in exchange for what ever assistance they can give you.

George and Gary are nice guys ,GOOD GUYS,,and I think there stuff is valid,,,I think their information and training is worthwhile,,,Having said that,,theres Lots of Stuff avaialble on a Google search for Hard Money Lending or Private Mortgage Training,,,I want to propose a question "Would you rather pay someone 8K grand to learn something about hard money lending or would u rather spend a little bit less checking stuff out chunk by chunk on the Net,,,,????

I will say that if I had a choice of doing what you intend to do (wholesale listed REOs) or trying to jump the Grand Canyon on a motorcycle, I'd go with the jump.