We have to decided to try to buy a house, but he qualifies for such a low amount, and the properties here are rising in price rapidly (great investment area, hint hint).

Inflation: Remember we are talking about rental property---rent is subject to inflation (inflation is nothing more then the tendency for expenses [the price of goods & services] to rise over time).

Yes, some will postpone the foreclosure, some will say they've taken care of it, some will tell you to get lost...so what...some will ask you to come in and discuss more in detail.Approach: be kind, sound considerate without overdoing it.

In many ways they should have gone up a long time ago as they normally stay about the short term rate.When people talk about falling bond prices and rising yields that is a signal that you will see rising mortgage rates fairly quickly after the bond movements.John Corey

After taxes, we're looking at positive cash flow.Rents will be going up, and this community's property values are expected to keep rising, albeit slower than they have in the last few years.We're thinking hard about this investment.

This cuts down considerably on the "trial and error", although the nature of the beast is that sooner or later everyone gets at least one "lesson".

I would focus on getting good deals.I have used a note as my consideration in offers.

I basically would like to hear from MD investors on how you purchase properties, what do you do with them, what area do you invest in, do you make a considerable profit, etc.

re7012,In some markets the prices have been rising for the whole of 2007.In some markets the rate of appreciation was close to zero for most of the 2000-2005 period.In some markets prices have fallen after a very rapid increase.Hence there is no national market.

Therefore, the broker could have a considerable investment in the property, and the purchaser will find this investment in the price whether the property is found on MLS or on a bank site.