One thing though, you need to do an analysis on your returns of your real estate (hint: you should use software to do this) versus the expected returns on the TSP fund you invest in (for me I'm in C fund and will go to G-fund around S&P 2350 since the market looks toppy).A con is that you can only take out 50% or 50k, whatever is the lesser amount.

@Kyle LopezI think the best bet is to just treat people like people.Find a few wholeseller scripts on the net.

Which is the safer bet?

It sounds like you banking on appreciation, your best bet is to make sure whatever you purchase it needs to cash flow out of the gate.

By having multiple properties, you are spreading the risk across all the properties and if you have a problem in one, the others will help to carry it versus digging into your own pockets.But here's another a simple way to look at the power of investing with leverage:$100,000 100% cash in one house versus $25,000 cash into 4 houses.

However, that means you are potentially letting the nephew present your offer versus doing it directly with the owner.

I think your best bet is to show the condition of the property and that it is deteriorating and that the property will ultimately have no value to other creditors.

Jim Brewer, I understand the outskirts will be my best bet.

I have access to unsecured loans at that rate up to 50k but they go much higher so would be nicer to have one loan versus multiple for my deals.

I've been told by my family that a rental analysis should calculate income with current rent, versus market rent, if there are tenants currently living on the property listed for sale.