Your grandfather's done pretty well keeping it simple.  99.99% of the people reading these posts will never do what he has done! 

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

It is relativley simple, but it is a test for your resolve, as you have to first safe up some money.

Using actual owner expenses where available and if not, estimate 50% of gross income towards annual operating expense.

If you are investing in a different state every couple of years an LLC might be more trouble than it is worth as you'd have to foreign qualify it in every new state you intend to operate in.

Only the interest can be written off (and other operating expenses and depreciation) - paid down principal cannot. 

View report*This link comes directly from our calculators, based on information input by the member who posted.

- property management fee (someone has to manage this property, even if your self managing you need to pay yourself for your time) I would use 8% for a property management fee ( there is a whole litiany if charges such as placement fees etc that get charged as well but to keep things simple let’s use 8%) keep in mind your area might be unique i would call some local PM’s to get a feel for the cost.

The choice is to to save myself some grief bending the thicker cable, $30 for the difference in price, and explaining a simple return to HD (when I shell out as much as I do with my local store every year), or cutting it close with an 8000-watt appliance in a basement.Going with the 6/2.

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.