that is a very good point (like all feedback above). here's how my mind works during the process. tell me what i am doing wrong...1. i finance all properties, so i need 25% down (55-75 purchase). that equates to around 20k at closing.2. spend around 10-15 ti fix up (so total of around 35k to get a house and get it ready)3. last house a contractor wanted 5k for: 10 interior doors, 10 cabinets with custom laminate counter, fix some plumbing (minor), dont even remember if the paint was included, blinds. i dont think it was. and that's just labor. not materials or anything.4. my holding costs are cheap - around 250-300 per month.since it takes me a awhile to gather 35k, i have the "luxury" to do stuff myself. also, the contractor wanted around 5k to do the work... that would be around 1yr of holding costs.but yes... i know i am missing on potential rental income. does this make sense?

There are obviously costs involved with obtaining and maintaining a license to consider as well, but one successful transaction could easily cover your expenses for the year.Your upfront costs would be:- Classes / materials to cover the education requirement- Testing and finger-printing fees (for the actual licensing exam and background check)**You will need to be sponsored by a broker in order to have an active salesperson license, so you'll need to figure out this piece as wellYour ongoing costs will include:- NAR (National Association of Realtors) dues- TAR (Texas Association of Realtors) dues- HAR (Houston Association of Realtors) dues- MLS access fees (assessed quarterly)Again, most of the answer(s) to your question really depend on what type of investing you're looking to do.

A new contractor may come in at 70% or on rehabs in smaller amounts, a seasoned contractor that has years with a lender may have other arrangements dragging off 100% of lot costs and materials with labor.

I reach out to the people on the list via mass emails from time to time, however I'm unsure of how to benefit from the list financially.I don't have a course or product to sell (at least not yet), so I'd like to benefit via real estate deals some how; at least for the time being.I suppose I could find an affiliate product that I believe in to promote, but again I'd like to benefit via real estate transactions if at all possible.One thought, was to let them know the kind of deal I'm looking for, and to offer to pay them a wholesale fee if I close on a deal they brought to me (the "bird dog" approach), however I'm unsure.I'm looking for ideas on how I can financially benefit from the mailing list.I put a lot of effort into providing quality information, so I don't think anything is wrong with pitching something here and there within the emails I send out.Any insight is appreciated.

They could have carried materials and clean the place up!

Im just curious on which store you all use for your rental property material and why and what you buy there?

Also, you may want to get a few quotes to compare pricing and materials that will be used.

I've spent several years on the sidelines reading a lot of material (Allen, Sheets, Terry, Kiyosaki, etc) and trying to find a way to enter the investment arena.

That's a ridiculous amount for the contractor to ask for, unless the work requires a lot of upfront costly materials (like roofing jobs);- Never finalize a bid until after you have all the information you need for the job.

the loan will be in Tom's name (not his company name).Tom will order materials, arrange contractors, pay monthly mortgage/utility bills.Jim will provide the $15,000 in cash needed to rehab the property.Tom = $6,000 initial cash (plus) time = $6,000 cash outlayJim = $6,000 initial cash (plus) $15,000 rehab cash = $21,000 cash outlayQuestion #3 - how would the deed read?