Like buying a bond where you just collect a check every so often.

I thought of gold, stock market, mutual funds, savings bonds, savings account, and lastly real estate.Guess what I picked?

MOST IMPORTANTLY, take a reputable, liscensed bonded and insured contractor with you to get a bid on the fix up.

Seems like for apartments, you get a contract very early, then have a fairly lengthy due diligence period where you carefully investigate the property and get the seller to prove their numbers.

Are these contractor's license bonded and insurance?

Thank you and sorry if my introduction is somewhat lengthy.

Check their license (most states have Contractor Licensing Boards where you can check the status of a license, see if they are current, any complaints, and whether their bond is current) If you go look at my license it shows when it expires, who holds my bond, if I have workmans comp (I don't, we sub everything out), etc. 2.

., major tenant damage, lengthy eviction) and end up in a very tough spot.Fannie Mae guidelines also require cash reserves.

In some areas there are redemption rights or upset periods and the process for the winner to actually get the property is lengthy.

I suppose its a matter of individual taste, but personally, I have a need to understand the bigger picture before I put my hard-earned cash at risk (goes for the stock or bond markets too).