<< -- Reed perhaps fails to understand that if someone has read 20 books on real estate investing, the 21st book will cover much of the same ground but in different words.Having read a great many books myself, I am indeed happy to uncover one new idea in the next book I read.As has been emphasized repeatedly on this site, the fundamentals of investing succesfully in real estate are relatively simple, but putting them into actual practice is often very difficult.

(I like that line Peter)Buying the right items and the right amount comes with expereince and knowledge, saving contractor mark-up is essential in the real world, and not trusting anybody is a good business practice!

VIsit government sites that are used by mortgage bankers, brokers and banks to see what they are allowed to do and what is known a "prudent lending practices".After you get that under your belt you can venture off course to more creative issues, this is not one of them.Good luck, Bill

Since many of the members have been dealing with family addiction for years and even decades, this is a great place to find practical solutions.

Using cost is simple and that is why it is common practice, but in my opinion this approach adds little value in the real world.

Looking to hear from others I can mentor with, work with, locally across Canada and especially US friends who understand the Canadian market our tight conservative policies and practices.

Accountants in private practice may work much like attorneys, she can spin off work to a specialist she trusts if she doesn't want to mess with something in detail, then review the work and pass it along.

I wish I would have found another person who was studying for the real estate exam and study with them and run practice questions through them!

We won't' look at a property that is below 20% cap rate and we are part of a large group that does the same practice, it's partly why all of us can do so well.

Me: This is common practice.