Hey @Joe Boggin - given those two scenarios, I'd opt for the leveraged property for the following reasons:1 - Mortgage benefits: you're getting principle paydown each month that is essentially forced savings of cashflow.

But if I'm (essentially) never going to default, I might be okay just biting the bullet.

Not that I know of, however most agents will at your request set up a search with whatever parameters you set and essentially leave you alone.

I believe understanding and implementing those elements can translate to sustainable success in any field.Alas, we are not here to talk about stocks or psychology (though I could ramble on for thousands of words on either topic), let us discuss real estate.

Here is why I like the Vanguard Index 500:From Warren Buffet:"My money, I should add, is where my mouth is: What I advise here is essentially identical to certain instructions I've laid out in my will.

I read different REI forums faithfully everyday.I've gon down to the court house and got the pre-forclosure list looking for deals but i've been told that area is over worked.I've gone to only 1 REI meeting so far due to child care issues but i'm gonna find a way to get to them every week beacuse i know networking is essential in this biz and it's all about relationships.I've gone to an open house with one of the nice helpful people i called.I've met with a guy from home vestors to ask questions.I've tried to find a mentor for free(money is tight) to kinda guide me me on one like once a week, but no luck there either.Now i know that i need to get business cards made up, have signs around town, and attend the REI meetings, but it seems like i'm kinda going in circles and i'm trying not to become discouraged.

I am not someone who just wants to make a quick buck, I understand the work that is required for such investment plans and I also have done my homework and essentially know everything that needs to be done in the process of buying a home in foreclosure.All I need to know now is how likely will it be that a lender allows me to assume a loan as a 19 year old college student that has "normal" credit (I just have one credit card, on which I've always made timely payments), and if that is impossible, if there is any way that I can have my dad assume the loan while I do all the "work" to buy the property and re-sell it.

I have talked to several banks that do lend to foreign investors, but good credit is essential and each one that I talked to also wanted a larger down payment.

For my portfolio, I'm only doing Sub2 deals and I'm not giving the sellers any promises about refinancing in a few years, so I'm essentially intending on keeping their loans in place for a long time.  

With language barriers this sometimes proves to be quite difficult, but going through the proper channels is essential for any closing.If you skip a title search and later on it comes back with title issues you really would have screwed the buyer.Closing costs shouldn't be a problem.