I have owned my home for 10 years, and I have been a business owner (communications / graphic design firm) for nearly as long.I am just learning about investment properties, and I am excited to gather as much information as I can.My immediate goal is to purchase either a duplex or triplex within the year.

I am a firm believer that a bank will give you the lowest return of any investment.

my experiance in the industry is mostly on the management side. i have worked as a project manager/general contractor for my familys house flipping business for about four years, i was responsible for all of the renovations of the propertys and i was also involved in the management of the rental properties.i have also managed construction projects for investors here in brooklyn.currently i am working as an agent in brooklyn real estate firm. i also just invested in a multi family building (16 units) but only as an investment so i didnt gain allot of experience from that since i was only a small partner in that venture. i have a good understanding of the real estate industry and i am trying to learn more about the finacial aspect of it since that is the area i have less experiance in.

Sending out my first mailers to absentee owners with lots of equity. 1000 pieces so we will see how many good prospects that brings me.

And have him write out that em check to you or your attorney, not his own brokerage firm.

I currently have a 401K with my current employer (not the real estate firm, but another full time job that I have) that has a balance large enough to purchase this property and also cover the approx $15k needed for upgrades before putting the property on the market for lease.I am not sure if my current employer will allow for me to use some of my current 401K money to use it for a Solo 401K and wanted your opinion on the "right" question(s) to ask when I call them.

I plan on taking my test later in the month and have been looking at various firms.

Let us know how it is received buy prospective buyers.

Thus, getting my REA license.ORObtaining my GC license eventually with knowledge and skills on estimating rehab costs and being a trusty and effective GC.This would also be my future employment prospects if investing would not suffice for my living wages.Being my first post, I hope I don't sound too naive.

Some folks include their vacancy allowance w/i that 50%, we apply an 8.33% (1/12) to 10% vacancy allowance to the scheduled rent and deduct 50% for operating expenses from that number ... conservative is good when examining prospects.