Ive worked as a Mortgage Loan Officer for a few years, an Insurance Agent for quite sometime, I also have about 15 years of construction experience.

I have a background in finance and my full time job is in insurance, but have always been interested in using real estate as a wealth building and passive income tool. 

That should help insure some sense of priority and trust to find the right "investment." 

I like the 70% Rule as a good guide to make sure you are getting a good deal, but when I crunched the numbers on the property I currently live in, using the 50% Rule I found I would actually have negative cash flow.Ideally I would rent the property for $1,400/month, my mortgage comes to roughly $830/month which includes the taxes and insurance in escrow, bringing my operating costs to $1,530/month. 

Appreciated stock can be used to borrow money from the brokerage firm to buy more stock.When the tide is going out, high debt hurts.

The charges for preparing and posting notice, filing for court date, etc are all part of tenant financial responsibility as per lease.Be fair but firm and treat EVERYONE equally, regardless of stories/excuses they try to provide. 

A duplex with really good numbers, however my target acquisition price is $290k (asking was $339k) based on the fact that the listing agent hinted the buyer might sell at that price (“he’d probably let it go for 290-295”) were her exact words.He came down to $315 and now $310 firm and doesn’t seem to want to budge.The property is pretty much turnkey, which is what I’m looking for, (and I understand that I’d pay more for a turnkey property) but is the highest priced property in the area (based on comps) and I don’t want to overpay.That being said, the numbers still work, even at $310k.

Now after the title check is this gentleman free and clear if someone later on down the line claims a stake in the title (i.e. mechanic lien of sorts)..is this were title insurance comes in? 

Did you get actual quotes/look up for taxes, insurance? 

  $750 is insurance greed pure and simple.