Please say no.Good old-fashioned extortion.

I see commissions coming down perhaps as people can handle more of the leg work themselves but most people simply aren't savvy buyers and will likely want to be represented in some fashion.   

Most Americans use bad debt and that's why I believe, the credit industry is going to be the next BIG CRASH...

We bought a North Las Vegas house for $270,000 in 2005 and the plan is to move there 10+ years later to retire.But like the most of Americans that we just glad we still have job now and have to delay our retirement.The house in Las Vegas only worths about $100,000 now.With the current rent that we still need to put out $400+ to cover the mortgage.Not to mention the months we couldn't find the tenant and the money we spent to fix the damage from previous tenants.That house is like a black hole to drain our saving and will be continue for many years.We won't walk away from this property, no short sale nor foreclosure, as long as we can cover the lose.I currently have almost additional $30,000 saving and am thinking to buy another house in Las Vegas, and hope to balance out our lost.I mean with the low interest rate (may not really low for investment property) and low home price, we can get positive rental income to cover the rental from another property, but I understand there will be risk when we cannot find a tenant.My questions are:(1) Do you think if this is a good idea?

Hi Ben, my parents (from Switzerland and living in Switzerland) have invested in real estate in the US by simply giving a loan to an LLC (which is run by an American friend of theirs).

I think the greatest advantage for guys like Joel, Sandy, and J Scott is the "professional real estate status" which is greatest tax loophole the IRS gives.Imagine if Joel, Sandy, and J Scott make the income of the top 1% american of $300,000 from their real estate business.

Realtors, appraisers, surveyors, and good old fashion investors) having an additional understanding of the power of real estate.5) every lender asks 2 questions, whether full scale bank, private lender, or friends and family, every one asks the same 2 questions...

Lambo, beach house, etc.)...There's a reason by 80% of Americans have little or no net worth.

After working in Sevilla for 4 years and keeping an eye on the US market, my wife (Spanish) and I (American) made a big move to the States to explore some opportunities there - though we had success in the consulting side of our business, our on-the-ground experience with investment opportunities turned out to be significantly different than what we were looking at online.

You would most likely have to structure it in the same fashion as a bank or other major lender (APR) to have your offer taken seriously.