My grandmother owns two retal properties that I manage and that way I can learn the ropes.Ok, have you ever heard of these options pertaining to commercial properties:1. 100% owner financing2.

I know someone is going to quote a recent (either "Business Week" or "Fortune") magazine article showing huge appreciation, particularly in the bigger cities; DFW, HOU, SAT, AUS, HOWEVER, no one has ever shown me the methodology used in that study and everything I've looked at in those markets changes when you BACK THE NEW CONSTRUCTION out of the equation.In my local market the appraisal district tried to jack our numbers up and I protested.

Bear in mind that if a lawful heir ever shows up and wins title to the property, then he/she can demand any rents collected, or that would have been collected during your occupancy.  

mini update*my attorney believes it might be a descriminatory practice to allow certain individuals (homeowners before 6/05) to rent and restrict it to others (homeowners after 6/05).it should be all or none. so basically we'll see what kind of deal he can swing, maybe get them to grandfather me given the circumstances of the sale. but it just blows my mind no one else who purchased after 6/05 ever complained about this. i mean, how many people would buy a condo knowing they have no flexibility to rent if the need arose??

I have friends that work at big banks, and I don't mean to knock them, but have you ever applied for a loan at the bank, and experienced the application process.

More renters than ever before.

If you've got school or other things to worry about, you might just want to put it somewhere safe, like those or even government I bonds (which are guaranteed to keep pace with inflation) until you're really ready to spend time doing real estate invesments.As to avoid getting screwed over by someone else, just don't ever sign anything until you've read and understand it.

Don't believe what the sellers say... according to them the only thing you EVER need is "some carpet and a little paint."

I was recently looking at some news articles about Biloxi MS, ever since the hurricanes last year it appears as though the casinos are now able to build on land.

If you ever hear of an investment opportunity – no matter what kind it is – that says it’s “risk free” then you should run (don’t walk) in the other direction.