I don't want to side track this conversation, so please go to this link for posting on THE MOST EXPENSIVE properties in your area..$68MM!!!

Anyway, Kohler's book may help clarify how some of these legitimate strategies could help you solve the overall problem of cash flow and your personal balance sheet.Don't think of it as rent vs buy, think of it as all the possibly ways to use, manage, leverage, and conserve your resources employing your current assets and effective proven tax strategies (not scams but conservative real options for savings).

Id like to get a fair portion of equity for my cash investment, only willing to invest with a person whom has a good track record and is putting cash in the deal...

Not sure what this is worth to you but you could hire a local "Door Knocker" to track her down and offer her cash for signing over a Quit Claim Deed.

I know one guy bought a yellow pad and hand wrote thousands of yellow letters then personally hand delivered them to a neighborhood.You can also call FSBO's or drive the neighborhood looking for abandoned houses and tracking down the owners.One on one networking might get you in touch with people who would be willing to buy properties (local flippers or investors).

I have seen a statistic somewhere that SFRs generally only rise in price to track average inflation, they don't rise to much from intrinsic value appreciation.  

Sounds like your on a good track.

@Billy Bob I think the biggest thing to minimize your concerns is to track each of the payments you made either with cancelled checks or copies of your checks from your online banking site.

I am a new BP member in search of a proven and a reliable contractor to do rehab of buy and hold properties in the Buffalo and Niagara areas.

@Jeffrey Lester Just as you could 'paper trade' a stock portfolio to learn about price changes and track news, you could 'paper trade' a house flip this summer.Even if you don't have the money, try to get yourself to an open house for a good fixer candidate.