One risk is the due on sale clause in the mortgage.

If I accept rent/deposit in cash or money order only, I wonder how much of a risk I would be taking.I want to get someone here fast, and don't want to wait until December to see if I can find anyone.

Even if I have a unique selling proposition, it's probably being read with glazed-over eyes, or not read at all. :)

As an aspiring REI I welcome risk, but not that much risk :) I do believe I have solid comps to support my numbers.

Or do you still need the shared risk? I

A problem with investment properties and home equity financing is the lender is in second position (or worse), and they perceive that as risky.

I have attended foreclosure actions in my city before, but very recently I heard of tax sales. From the looks of it, making reasonable bid at auction can score a good deal on a home, and if the deal is "too good to be...

Are you trying to buy in these markets from half way around the world (seems risky) or are you in the US now?

Their risk is that the house sits for a couple months before it sells, costing them that much in interest anyway.

I think that one of the main reasons that investors decide to chase for private money instead of hard is because of the hefty price tag you have to assume in a hard money transaction.I do understand that you guys hard money lenders are in a very risky business and you have to compensate the risk by charging high interest and fees, but the reality is that every time that I have a deal I do my numbers with hard & private money scenarios, and most of the times hard money makes the transaction either unsuitable to purse or simply unprofitable.