While some HMLs have a repeat customer base, it would be much larger if they could compete in a wider range of borrowers.

Secondly, are you hoping for any appreciation or is this strictly CF game for you.

What are my assets worth if my customers cant pay rent or buy my apples or ect.?

This was when I realized that if I will have longevity in this game, I need to be a pro!

As for REOs, they don't want someone else (you, the wholesaler) making money when they are taking a loss.This is a numbers game.

I do understand that they don't want to pass out a lease they basically paid for that could end up being used in that community, but it also tells me they are pretty locked up in thier thinking, probably due to thier attorney.I'd say reviewing the lease prior to hiring them would be more than reasonable and you should be able to add any addendum you like, so long as it doesn't violate local law or custom and it doesn't make thier job leasing more difficult.It also tells me that in the event any issue pops up, this PM may lack experience in dealing from a managerial standpoint attempting to follow strict guidelines, doesn't sound like they might be ver flexible, even if common sence should prevail.Could be too you need to do some more stroking, making the PM more comfortable with your requirements.PMs need to understand they represent you, you drive the bus and they oversee your directions.

just to be clear about my opinion, I am talking about long term investing, not day trading. i think day trading is a losing game, except for the 1% who "know more than the market." if you want to discuss which is a better investment, i think it is clear that real estate is (if it is your thing). however, real estate requires your time which my preffered method of stock market investing takes very little time. dollar cost averaging is truely passive investing. if you want to talk truely passive real estate investing where you spend an hour a month looking over statements and you are not hands on in any way, i dont think you will do much better if any than the stock market......over the long term. what the recent stock market crash has reminded people is that it is a volatile market and some people are not comfortable with that. i think real estate is not as volatile.to the question of whether or not people will jump from stocks to real estate. because of how the stock market has acted lateley, i think yes. big hedge funds have proven that. i am just saying...give it 10 years and possibly a few good runs by the stock market and people will be "following the herd."

Take a mil complex and turn it into a 2 mil complex.I don't have any experience or the capital to play in that game though.

That allowed me to buy, fix, sell, and use the equity to do the same but with a larger property.So I hate to answer your question with an answer that doesn't really apply -- but if you can get some money in the game (shake the couch cushions, or as friends/family) you have many more options.The other thing is to work hard and birddog properties for local buyers.

Been reading the books and dragging my feet for years while I established my professional career (love it, not looking to leave, just supplement).So I live in a nice college town where occupancy rates are high and the leases run 12 mos. and I'm ready to get into the game.