My goal is to own another by the end of the year.

I have some hopes this comes back around to me, but not because it is a low down option.  

I also don't think it's common to convince the appraisal district that your property did not appreciate at all, unless you can back it up with pictures that your property was damaged or is in worse shape that it was the year before.

The loan was set to close the end of June.The lender is now saying that due to "new" Frannie/Freddie guidelines, we have to collect the first month's rent before the loan can close. 

Just watched Bigger Pockets podcast/video about picking a market here as well as read through this article about markets with both appreciation and cash flow here.First lesson - keep the end in mind.

Hi to all I am a brand new to this BP and a completely beginner investing in real estate.I have applied for a second mortgage for my next primary residence and on the process hopefully closing at the end of August (brand new home), now I have contacted some credit union to apply a HELOC and advised me to apply before closing of my current primary home.

Aside from seeing a parcel and knowing a great project could be built on it, it's necessary to be able to show precisely what can be built, how much it will cost, and have real numbers, based on actual bids to back up your projections. 

Best time to lease up in our market is spring, and right when tax refunds are coming back.

The issue is it has been 11 days and I still did not get my deposit back.

On the higher end of what I am currently looking at, I have Twin Cities and Indianapolis.