I dodged the whole private lender scam 2 years ago when I was trying to get financing on a duplex, rent the upstars.

I first appoligize Tim I didn't mean to come across pompass.And yes I think your private home is both an investment and a liability.

Private Money?

If you know any private real estate appraisers, they have access to the MLS as well to show comps in an area.

Showing income is an issue, so I know that adds to the chore of getting the refi's, but since my plan is to be very selective on the properties, making sure my ltv's are low (70 max) with current immediate neighborhood comps, I know there are some lenders still doing these both regular and private, but realize that can and does change quickly.

The Ford trade is a bet that the government won't allow Ford to declare bankruptcy.

Common sense is letting private investors take this beat up REO inventory and making it livable again.

Also, as your rents increase, so do the expenses and I'm betting that expenses will AT LEAST keep pace with rents in the near future.

Branson is growing leaps and bounds due to the new landing and I am watching for the river boat gambling boats within 5 yrs. ( yup, been defeated once but I bet they try again.)

•Buy from sellers who tend not to care: seized, foreclosed, tax sales, corporations, non-profits, disinterested heirs, probate attorneys and private auctions.