Robert, you are correct.

I was contemplating getting a gun as I was stocking up on tons of canned food last month - I've been listening to too much Peter Schiff lately.

Paul,I appreciate your feed back & you are correct about the asset managers.

For some reason I picture them in food stained wife beater shirts, a case of Budweiser in the trunk, and their plans written on a napkin....

However, as of 2004, you no longer have to be a relative, is this correct?

Of course you must buy correctly and only use the HELOC to buy assets and not liabilities.

I know I will get others to argue that paying all cash and owning property free and clear is the "safe" way to invest, and improves cash flow, but it also eliminates the power of leverage which is one of the greatest tools in RE investing.The key is to not over-leverage and to buy correctly.

Just a continuation of the previous correction, or a market reaction to an Obama administration?

Once your financial situation is corrected, then start thinking about investing.

Frank is right,If you really want to expedite the process of attaining the correct zoning for your property you really need to be politically tied in.