There is no requirement, tax wise or for any other reason that your "books" must be done by a CPA, an accountant or even be in accordance with acceptable accounting principles (to some extent) what is required tax wise is to keep track of your income and expenses in a consistant manner so that such items can be identified.If you just write the check number down in a book and write out what it is for, paint, cleaning supplies, carpet shampoo, those are expenses and you subtract it for the money you receive from rents.Code your checks and deposits, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h (later you could go to a-1, b-1) each represents a property.

If you are concerned with they tenant trying to withdrawal, move the money from the account after rents are paid.I have used this strategy and have a love/hate relationship. what I have done is supplied the tenant with deposit slips that are clearly marked with the address to keep deposits straight.

I replace every water-valve in the house (including the main shut-off) as soon as I close - under-sink valves, toilet water supply, laundry, water heater shut-off, etc - paying a plumber/handyman for a half-day of non emergency labor is much cheaper than an emergency call later.

I have had a browse over the web but i can't find anywhere that can supply a foreign investor a short term loan such as Transactional funding.I would be making deals virtually and closing the deals over the internet with my ( c ) Buyer.I would really apreciate some advice here guys.. what steps i need to take to get this ball rolling.

I guess the limited area I'm looking at has very limited supply.

My only real expenses are office rent, phone & internet, office supplies, licensing, and marketing being the biggest.I don't want to fool around with refiling past taxes so I guess the best thing is to wait more time until my net income is higher or I have the money to pay cash for a deal or at least a larger down payment.Craig

Natural gas is being produced in the USA, and it seems like the supply is rather abundant with shale fracturing.

I think I could find someone to do it cheaper than 1200 with labor AND supplies.

My HVAC-R equipment comes from a trade simplified supply house.

Supply on the other hand has dwindled due to artificial pressure from government regulation of the foreclosure process.