Buying homes at or over current market rates will not provide you significant income, if any (maybe appreciation down the road but certainly not income if that's what you're seeking).If your area's homes are selling at or over asking price maybe consider looking for distressed properties off the MLS? 

Rent to own, lease to own, rent to buy, lease to buy, and any combination of the above are all marketing terms for a lease option/purchase.Lease Options and Lease Purchases are fundamentally very similar, with the difference being the type of document used to agree to sell the house (Lease Options use an option, or "first right" type of document, while a Lease Purchase uses a purchase and sales agreement instead of an option/first right).The penalty under either situation for not buying is generally limited to forfeiture of option consideration (in a lease option/first right), or forfeiture of earnest money (in a lease purchase).

The issuers will design out fee centers and the crowd will eventually seek the highest yield.  

I'm a real estate newbie and would like to see what the community thinks about what would be my first step. I've ready the books, listened to the podcasts and read through the forum. I think I know where I want to beg...

If you could still qualify for the home purchase today then you could probably refinance it if you had to.I have to agree with William Morgan that it may be best to seek other ways to protect your assets if you only have a handful of rentals.  

Seek out a local Business Attorney for help.

An attorney client relationship does not exist between you and me and if you are in doubt about your legal rights and/or responsibilities, please seek legal counsel. 

be sure to check out commercial prepayment penalties if you are snowballing

As your starting out, seek out local REI meetings and attend a few.

Hi,I am seriously looking to buy an investment property (condo) in Baltimore and am seeking a reliable real estate agent through this forum.