Low supply + high demand = tough to make moneyYour first deal doesn't have to be a home-run, especially if its functioning as your primary residence. 

In the simplest terms you supply the deal and they supply the capital.

I'm not a plumber but I've seen hundreds of homes and don't recall ever seeing one that shared a water supply line between the toilet and the sink.

This was an easy decision for me as I wanted to carry on the legacy of my family in this neighborhood, and with such a short supply of deals in our market currently, it was a no-brainer for me to buy the home.

Budget 20k to replace the plumbing if it has the original cast iron stacks and galvanized supply lines.

Another couple of quarters and we'll know betterInventory is slightly up (+1.7%) as is the "months supply" of homes on the market (+1.6%).  

Our only difference is that the property is owned by a non-profit that supplies "low-income" housing.

So finally I solved this problem last week and have been on a buying spree, but I have also heard that people would pay for someone to qualify for mortgages on their behalf so they supply the cash for downpay and (for example) I can just qualify for mortgages and in return hold the property under my name and get paid for it.

For MLS properties, it's just a stronger offer because you are accepting the property "as is".

Having a big wad of cash in a bank account certainly provides a level of security, but it doesn't have a great return.Assuming one does not touch what has been saved, is there a threshold where you start funding other areas with a stronger ROI (buying new properties, paying down mortgages, investing in the stock market, etc.).I realize this would be different for someone who owns 5 properties vs. someone who owns 100, or someone who owns rehabbed properties vs. someone who owns properties that will need a lot of work, but I'm interested in everyones thoughts on the subject.