I am currently looking for tenants to occupy the first and second floor while I live on the third (penthouse) : )I used savings from my job and income through the stock market (options) to generate the necessary funds.After the property is rented, I would like to save some more money and start searching for a 2nd property with the help from commercial lending or a conventional mortgage.

We purchased a 16k house that needs about 70k work, and the neighborhood is on the upswing for a revival, but won't be quite there for another couple of years (so I predict).  

keep buying and looking for those great deals and use those to hedge against the rainy days considering you own these properties free and clear with no financing also look for deals were you walk into equity say if it's 20 percent under market value great tool to hedge against a rainy storm also put money into other things such as stocks or reits

LOL, they aren't teaching me anything, but the newest marketing angles they use for their product.Long time ago, I gave estate planning seminars with a stock broker and an attorney, I had the insurance side covered for the "team".

Not in my experience anyway.What is your predicted ARV?

Plus, with the stock market fluctuating a lot, people on the high end may not feel as certain about how much money/stock they have or will have to purchase an expensive home.

What if you lose your job or the stock market tanks or social security goes away. 

I keep the properties in the company name with me as the only stock holder and officer, and my personal assets in tenants by the entireties with my wife so they are completely protected. 

Other than a huge tax bill I have to deal with this next April all of our extra income is allocated towards investing (real estate and stock market).  

It's a decent sale but paint isn't something you really want to stock up on.....unless you like taking it back to the store to have them re-shake it prior to using.