My advice:1) keep the 10k saved up2) Using a HELOC would be wise because of the low interest rate.

@Jd MartinInteresting to hear you don't buy your own materials - I can certainly see the upside to that.I prefer to buy my own materials when possible (mostly from Lowes as they are the most conveniently located) as I like the perks of that amount of money being put on my account.

Don't invest in Europe.It doesn't work like in the US.Prices are way too high, rents too low, they will tax you to death on rental income(Portugal is 28%, Germany is 40%) and there is red tape from here to Mars.

Duplexes get extremely expensive and you will be fighting many buyers to get one.

Brandon and Josh always say, you can usually find a pretty cash flow-friendly area within two hours of any major city.)Lastly, try joining your HOA board, lay low for a while and learn, then see what you can do about lowering HOA fees.

Tax liens are another low-dollar asset in the alternative asset space, but the time invested in finding and acquiring good liens can be significant.

There are many ways to do it, but what's the most effective and low cost, being as I'm a new agent?

It seems like basic math to me, and if you are trying to help your "client," then you should put their profits above yours, and above your colleague's, and above your brokerage.I have received this runaround from both Windermere & Sotheby's in the past couple weeks and it is extremely frustrating because they have both specifically said they would tell the Seller that they should not trust an offer if it does not go through another realtor.

If damage is low you'll still get a very cheap property from an owner who's very anxious to sell.

If not, your numbers will be worse.2) Taxes of $98 per year seem too low.