The option fee counts as a down payment when talking to future lenders.Monthly rent has NO credit going toward the purchase price/down payment.

Part of the RE game, that's what makes it so much fun.....

RE is all about math, nothing else?

In one case I had a property re-zoned to residential, in another case the property was considered mixed-use so I left it as-is. 

Should I wait and build once we have more data about the future economy or take the plunge?

I was recently laid off from my job and have three issues: 1) No way to get a conventional mortgage 2) Need a place to live, and an advantage: sizeable savings on stock, bonds.I want to start investing in RE (ideally multifamilys), but for now I want to start small: buy a condo to live in, and [whenever I buy a multifamily I could move to] rent it.I would like to evaluate my high-level strategy, and get your comments:* [Soon] Get a "securities line of credit" worth around 15% of my savings.

Happy to map out a game plan for you to not only qualify for this first property, but set you up for success for future properties.Best of luck!

And sometimes when I get stuck while writing an email I look for inspiration there.

I was reading some articles (like the one linked here) about there being a federal ruling late last year regarding how buyers' agents will not receive direct commission from home sales in the future. https://www.paloaltoonline.com/real-estate/2024/02/20/after-...However, my cousin, who is currently a buyers agent with Compass in CA says not much will change, stating that if buyers' agents aren't paid, then who will connect homebuyers with the right sellers?  

If you know of any service providers who can write and prepare these letters, possibly on the mainland, and then ship them to me for a final local dispatch, I would greatly appreciate your recommendations.