Anything you can truly own is a very strong position to be in.As to one thing to do with precious metals - an idea that came to my mind that I can't condone was get as many credit cards as you can, use them to buy precious metals, convert the precious metals back to currency, use the currency to purchase income producing assets free and clear and if Armageddon hits - default on your non recourse credit card loans and ride out the 7 years of "recovery" when there's going to be little to no credit available anyway and start anew 7 years down the road when you're credit record is cleared out and you have appreciating, free and clear, income producing assets....with a clear credit record.

Think about it: PoG rises one dollar, what does that do for a miner that produces millions of ounces?

In other words, how many units are CURRENTLY vacant, not an average or estimated 5%. 5% would mean that less than 1 unit would have a vacancy each year which is practically impossible.Who pays the utilities?

That can be a disaster: utility prices are volatile and tenants waste utilities when they don't pay for them.

1) Price: $249,000 (duplex in class b, c area/San Diego, CA) Shortsale and appraisal came in at list price, orig. owner purchased for $475k in 2005 Owner pays utilities, tenants pay elec., gas 2 units rent for $1200 a month.

I currently utilize a self-directed IRA.

If that's good; they have no evictions; no criminal history; and only one hit over a utility bill, then I would certainly rent to them.

Bought a 4/2 1700 sq/ft 2 story in my backyard in late December for $60K, spent $35K total on rehab, holding, closing, utilities, everything.

This type of drywall was produced with materials that emit toxic hydrogen sulphide gas and other sulphide gases," says a copy of one home inspection report obtained Canwest News Service on an affected Florida home where Chinese drywall was installed.

.- What about lawn care, accounting costs, legal costs, termite inspections/treatments, advertising, utilities during vacancy periods, etc?