@Lena CastellanoTo prepare for your first real estate purchase next year, explore house hacking options, research rental regulations, network with contractors and investors, practice deal analysis, join local REI groups, and connect with agents.

@Brandon Ja - The standard answer here is to check with your CPA, but from my standpoint expenses that add longevity and functionality to an existing property (including adding square footage) would make that a capital expenditure that can be depreciated over time.

If you want to find those deals yourself thats a lot more time-intensive work.

Hi everyone,My husband and I are just starting out in the real estate investing game.

Looking at successful real estate investors, we can draw insights from some key figures:Sam ZellDonald Brenand Barbara Corcoran. 

Although if I were the buyer I'd still want a title/escrow agent if I'm investing in real estate...So if you're right, I'm wondering what the advantage of CFD is.

Yes, you can use proceeds from multiple exchanges and buy into a single replacement property (WATCH the timing though - as as soon as you close on your first relinquished property then you are on the clock).  

I am working on getting my brokers license in the mean time.

My husband and I like many here, are so thankful for this community as we navigate our real estate journey.

I know partial assumable loans were (and still are to some extent) pretty common place in commercial real estate financings, but does anyone know of a residential real estate lender who offers partial assumable loans on individual mortgages?