OTOH if you're using the equity from this house as the down payment for another and you don't plan to pay it off quickly a mortgage will give you a longer term, fixed rate loan.Smaller banks are a better bet than the big boys.

That is all she does, and I bet you would learn a lot from her ..

Second I assume you are looking for single family houses for long term rentals to hold and not rehabs or commercial properties.If that's the case you need to be very careful investing from afar in single family houses as the dynamics are different.Do not be sold on a property where they say it's CLOSE to this great area etc.Instead look at population growth, quality of schools, the economic planning department, permits pulled for building, whether the state is business friendly and whether it is a pro-tenant or pro-landlord state, median income levels, job growth, and crime levels ( violent versus non-violent offenses ) etc.Many more metrics to look at but this will get you started.

Your best bet, IMO, is to type "subject to" in the top right hand search box.

I know they started to aggregate data from counties to come up with sales comps however I still think your best bet is getting sold comps from the MLS (for single family).

Seems like a better bet unless you are doing a lot of volume.

Your best bet is to find an experienced broker that deals with your property type and size.

You fix it up and buy at a low price to get RENT READY not RETAIL SALE.You can beat out many flippers because you need less equity going in and care about the purchase price versus cash flow more.If you do not want to rehab then you might have to venture outside of your preferred area.

I bet in a year you will want another one.

Get in a 4 unit if you can. 3 tenants paying that mortgage and you live in the 4th unit.Your breakeven occupancy will be better than a duplex or tri-plex and if one leaves 2 more will still be paying versus a duplex where you will have 50% vacancy and have to pay the mortgage all by yourself.