Below is how you can buy $50 worth of stamps/envelopes/paper, 3 hours of labor, and simply get started.

Do the math and get preapproved for financing the rest, is fairly simple in comparison

If yes > Invest in Real EstateIf no > Pay off your Student LoanThis simple equation however does not account for the feeling that you might receive from being debt free.

@Robert Soto @Nick RutkowskiWhat Robert said is 100% but it is also worth stating that there are many contractors who completely understand this and will use it towards their advantage.Plane and simple is the "bid low to get the job and then hit them with extras " strategy.

This works OK for relatively static and simple investments like a private placement or crowdfund, but can become rather cumbersome and expensive with a more time sensitive and transaction intensive asset such as a rental property.

For a really great example on Buy and Hold Investing Analysis, including both simple and complicated spreadsheets, try this thread:BP: Buy and Hold Philosophies

Keeps it sweet and simple.

As he tells it, he was super stoked on a property and completely over renovated thinking that he would make this grand cash flow palace....at the end of the expensive renovations he was left with maybe 100 bucks more of cashflow per month than if he had just done some simple remodeling.

Then an appraiser would use that restored victorian as a comp, because on paper they have the same sqf, bed/baths etc.

I understand the architect aspect but I own my plans.. so I only buy them once.we are not building ultra customs .. although I have in Charleston were I spend 30 to 50k on architect because its what is required in the historic district but other than that 1500 to 2500 to buy stock plans.. pretty simple.