Losing $5,000 or $10,000 in profit because you don't want to put up $500 or $1000 deposit that you are going to get back when you close is not good business in my book.If its a deal then put your money where your mouth is (IF you have to, of course :D)

So, subtract your monthly mortgage cost and calculate how profitable they would be.Assuming they're not losing money I'd probably consolidate for a bit, not take on any more debt (of any kind), pay down all debt, but particularly pay off the SMALLEST loan.

I figure we can 1. live in the condo and buy a house to rent/section 8. 2. rent the condo and buy a bank owned property, hold a year or two and resale for a profit.

I have been buying very cheap houses and rehabbing and selling at a good profit, but all with my money.

I look forward to all the great info on this site and a very profitable 2008-2009.

I was in the same boat as you but I found that with my rentals being profitable it was easier to just do the "100% down payment" deals and not give any of my profit to the bank.I was in TX for 30 years and just left the Austin area (Marble Falls actually) about a month ago.Good luckall cash

So I guess that my plan is to put bids on properties as if I'm going to hold them to the river (i.e. make sure that they're positive cash flow after paying everybody that needs paying / generate sufficient IRRs), but to the extent that I can, I'd like to flip them for a quick profit.

How would you present this to the bank and make sure you make a profit?

I had coffee with some people from the non-profit sector.

Puke.Here's hoping that you make your money back through a profitable investing career.