We've lived in the house for the past 6 years all with the goal to turn it into a rental someday, and that day's fast approaching!

In my market, a master bedroom below grade presents what we appraisers call functional depreciation, that is, a design problem.

This is the "burned out landlord" approach where you can pick up several properties at a time... or perhaps their whole portfolio at a discount, and they are likely to understand what you are looking to do so there is less to educate the sellers on.Hope this helps... good luck!

As we approach Spring/Summer, I'm thinking of shutting down the boiler again.

I walked into the office of the Boss and I asked how I could better approach my target market.

This is a great marketing approach.

I've been told that letters aren't the most effective way to contact owners of large apt. complexes.Supposedly, the best way to get into the loop and have the first crack at purchasing larger multi-family properties before they hit the market is to (1) network with commercial real estate professionals such as Scott the CCIM (2) join commercial real estate organizations such as the IREM, BOMA, NAA, and ICSC or befriend individuals that are members (3) approach a property owner in the flesh and (4) network some more.You agree Scott?

As Mike pointed out, most of those shows are fake and of course designed to get ratings.

I am a doctoral student with: [list]little debt (car loan and 35k in student loans), little assets (3k in an index fund, 7k in a target retirement fund/Roth IRA, 1k in individual stocks, 5k in cash), little income (just my student stipend of less than $20,000/year and another $2-3000 from web design and illustrating jobs on the side), and a little family (wife and two kids).

Is there an elevator apartment building class designated by the local government like there is in New York City (Class D)?