I have been bidding on real estate auction for years and done well, here are some suggestions that may help you:Here are some things to consider when attending an auction - helpful hints.Preview properties with an auction associate if possible.Make a pre-auction offer(to avoid the competition).Ask for known details (zoning, tenancy, existing financing, code violations, taxes, comparable sale info/comps, will seller finance?)

Hello BP, What are some common closing cost items that can be avoided?

Tonight I watched webinar "The Top 10 Mistakes Real Estate Investors Make (and How to Avoid Them". 

You will hear first hand what programs worked and what programs to avoid. 

Avoid it, and it'll reinforce your fears.

I know I need to at least hold the property for 1 year to avoid a short term capital gains tax, even though after 1 year the capital gains tax selling would still be brutal at 15%.

So to keep it a conforming, non jumbo loan, and avoid PMI I have one 30 year loan for the conforming amount minus the down payment and a HELOC loan to cover the balance.

I realize flippers are going crazy for South Philly but my philosophy is to avoid the most competitive areas.

.- With one and two taken care of, you'll be able to avoid problems with the mortgage.- Financing a second property is really, really easy.

That said, if we announce, it'll be hard to avoid it ;)