The house is 2 bedrooms + a bonus room (no closet in the 3rd room -- I'm thinking seriously of hiring a contractor to build in a closet but haven't decided yet; I don't think it would cost much but could help me get a higher price and the time to recoup the investment would hopefully be a year or less).

Thank goodness it is not one of those courses that cost $997 with fast action bonuses of $10356.17, fr.e.e 1 hour strategy session (worth $500) and 2 f.r.e.e ticket to 3-day boot camp!!!

I bounce around various banks that give sign-up bonuses.

@Neil Schlimgen I can answer this question will very precise information.With a "conforming, conventional" loan (loans governed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) they will require you to have 2 years of commission and bonus to use that income. 

I'll occasionally send her a little "bonus" out of the blue and of course a holiday bonus/gift. 

So make friends.Offer to give the seller a pay-off bonus if you sell the property before the mortgage is due - offer a 10% bonus.Make the seller your partner (known as an Hybrid offer) offer to clean up the building - he gives you the deed and you split the profit in the future.Ask the seller to refinance - you take over the mortgage (subject to)  - he gets the cash and you get the building for nothing down.Offer to give him something he wants - a car - a truck - a plan ticket - those items are easy to financing - seller gets a truck and you get the house and the payments on the truck.Offer seller additional collateral - another house you have, or your mothers house - offer a co-signer.Appeal to the seller - I am new help me - I have good credit - I am trying to get started ---- I have a cosigner. 

The cash flow is an added bonus, and helps to perpetuate the cycle of accumulating properties.In my area, one can get $200-300/mo + cash flow (after the above mentioned expenses), but you will be in less desirable parts of town and have higher tenant turnover, evictions, and outstanding debt.

I would assume that the math is better in your area but I think your biggest bonus will be that if your holding a flip that you acquired well under ratio you can get close to or above 1% even including rehab.

*BONUS* - if you have an active license, other agents do not have to accompany you to their listings.

hey @Daniel Methven in my opinion investing with family is a good idea but lots of people may disagree...so first of all yes you would want to find a management company...most charge 10-15 percent....for my vacation properties i charge people for the cleaning service upfront because there is no doubt that cleaning will be necessary.....yes you may be able to rent it out during those other months but when you are evaluating whether to buy the property or not make sure that your not taking into account those months being rented out at all so that if you do rent them out then thats a great bonus and if not your not disappointedbest of luck man