Instead of marking up 20%, you should be doing [cost]/(1-0.20) to get your price to your customer in order to earn 20% margin.

One of my favorite quotes that my Dad would always tell me was "If it's easy it isn't worth doing" I have always followed that advice UNTIL I read "Rich Dad Poor Dad" and realized that I don't need to work to exhaustion to earn more money.

I am currently earning steady W2 income through my engineering career and try to live below my means while still enjoying life.  

Readers here should be well aware of of the benefits afforded to real estate that effectively shield all earnings from taxes in the early years of a new property.And finally, tax-free distributions through refinancing.............for these and many other reasons real estate should be a meaningful portion of most anyone's investment portfolio.

That, or I'm wrong and people and businesses will leave these cities, and they will decay relative to inflation.On the opposite perspective from a personal standpoint, many of my well-educated peers with high paying jobs and excellent career prospects are moving into town earning incomes in the $60-$100K range.

Find out about the benefits that are available to you and use them to your advantage...you earned them!

Most earning potential.

Learn while you earn.

.), as well as the seller's situation and motivation.If it's the latter, you just need to find yourself a closing attorney who does seller financed transactions, tell them exactly what you want to happen at and after closing, and then sit back and let them earn their fee!

If you touch the earnings, though, you'll be subject to tax and 10% penalty.