There are several nice areas out here in the bay that are highly desireable, mainly thanks to the many hi-tech company's, weather, and several other factors.As a downfall though, most prices are over inflated so in order to get a deal you have to get a little creative.Currently I continue to come accross a lot of short sales and pre-foreclosures in great areas throughout the bay.

One for 80% of the purchase price and a second (a "piggyback" loan) for the remaining 20%.

How do you profit from inflation?

Things are done right when I get the RIGHT contractor in. any way I interviewed a few PMs I found one that manages the property for 10% and does not inflate repairs.

It is an area of very inflated prices, one of the highest in the country.I thought there was perhaps a ballpark strategy that you wise folks use in making an offer.

Quick note to Josh, did you notice the date of Ryan's post and the date of the remaining post, interesting that it's out of order.

Another thing to watch out for, though it's probably not that common, is tenants paying inflated rent.

Let's face, the lender has overhead costs that remain the same whether a loan is $30K or $300K.

Sure enough the message was there.I then noticed that there are 4 messages there. 1 from Sunday, 1 from Monday and 2 from today.What causes a message to remain in the outbox?

Finally, historically after a real estate boom and bust cycle, it takes 8-10 years for inflation adjusted prices to return to their previous highs.Mike