okay for your first investment - land is probably not the most ideal investment - because it doesn't put any cash in your pocket and there are really no tax benefits other than writing off the taxes.basically cash will flowing OUT OF YOUR POCKET rather than OUT AND BACK IN TO YOUR POCKET - possibly like a rental unit.if you were to start a business - say a pizza shop - now you're just starting out...would you invest in a pizza shop that doesn't make any money and only costs you money to spend on it????

. ($20k 5-year asset = $4k deduction per year, times 5 houses = $20k deduction a year for the first five years, separate from property depreciation altogether) This process will save me a couple thousand dollars at least, and will probably be the deciding factor in whether or not I can afford to purchase another investment property.More cash flow now is more important than paying taxes later, all real estate professionals know this.

Ideally, I think I want to buy condos, hold them, rent, then maybe move them in a few years.

This would be a short term investment averaging three years, then the resident will purchase the property.I have not factored closing costs into the questions below, simply, becuase they could be really radically different.

Earl Nightingale defines success as "A progressive realization of a worthy ideal."

Here are the factors:(1) house probably not worth much more than the first note and possibly, part of the second (with interest, penalties, attorney's fees, etc.)(2) house is occupied, not by the owner, but by a "tenant" who has not paid rent for a year; but has put about $50,000 of improvements into the house (he originally had a contract for sale with the owners)(3) wife (house is co-owned with husband she is divorcing) has filed for reinstatement of bankruptcy (her first petition was dismissed) and we won't know until we get to the courthouse if the petition is reinstated(4) there is an IRS lien on the husband which has been filed on the houseFurther facts and questions: (1) will reinstatement of the wife's bankruptcy stop the foreclosure?

I'm looking at buying a rehab project, but unfortunately due to the amount of homes on my credit file (and proximity of rehab project to his existing homes), I wouldn't qualify for another loan (not a 100%)From what I've read, most hard money folks top out at 70-75%.Scenario...380K Loan amount35K in rehabARV is 510-520K(*Not sure how to factor in hard money points and holding costs (3 mos mortgage), but I figure approx walking away with 30-40K.(70% of 520K is 364K)Again, I'm trying to do this at 100% LTV.

Ideally though if I were you and you're just starting out here's what I'd do:I) Consider for a moment that you're still young and still have lots of time and energy on your side.

The ideal candidate is confident, creative, has strong follow-through, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and is a real people person with a genuine desire to help people.

Getting ideal tenants into your properties will probably reduce 90% of potential headaches down the line.