During the early '80s the average house in Houston LOST 50% OF ITS VALUE.One we went to was occupied by a (recently arrived) Vietnamese family.

Approximate Tax value $84,000. ... i jumped on yahoo maps and took my self there.. wondering why it was so cheap, i found out quick... when i arrived at the house, i realized i was in the ghetto; crackhead/hooker neighborhood... my car was then attacked by 3 hookers, it was kinda funny..and nasty. anyways i left. end of story, lol.

This is my first post but I would be glad to welcome new people as they arrive (time permitting).I have spent some time lurking as they say and I want to compliment the powers that be on a great websiteDavid

If the job market here stays strong over the next two to three years Austin/suburbs should finally see some decent appreciation.Some of the neighborhoods I "fish" in have seen quite a few sales to Californians so while 1/3 may be strong there is definitely some evidence that the speculators have arrived.

Once the tenant arrives, they sign the lease, pay the remaining financial requirements and move-in.Try and think from the property owners perspective and make your offers based on this.

i will be there by feb. 2007 so i am looking for local interest before i arrive

To arrive at a $1920/month P&I @ 5%/15 year, requires a beginning balance of $243K.

Next to that I put the date their lease expires, now the date their loan is due.When checks arrive I put a check mark in the appropriate column, if it's late I write in the date received.

I've just arrived back from my 2 week whirlwind honeymoon thorugh Asia, and saw that the forums were not functioning.

I am a very honest person, almost to a fault sometimes.I basically do my negotiation, by reviewing the facts of the property with the seller, let them tell me some things about the property, their situation, why they are selling etc... but when it comes time to closing the deal, I have no idea what to say to justify my offer without spelling out how I arrived at the numbers (such as I put in offer of 70%-repairs-profit).