That said, if you got the bid right, & didn't pay too much, the company itself was decent to deal with - the escrow company for my deal was out of state, so there was a little hassle there, but I was able to "e-sign" the contract, which was convenient.

Now, look at your tax return Schedule E.

I've e-mailed some people online that are selling there houses, and I tell them if they are interested in selling there house, go to my website and fill out the form.

You could throw out an ad that your looking to hire for a bog renovation, and contractors can do estimates on XYZ day between XXX too XXX and to e-mail with credentials for address. more then getting numbers, you will get free ideas, and possibly a solution you never saw.

Originally posted by Craig E.:... including punitive damages and discipline by the DRE.Does that involve paddling in a candlelit dungeon by nondescript functionaries hooded in Trappist monk robes?

. §§ 109(g), 362(d) and (e).

Also if you use multiple e-mail adresses you can post multiple per day.

The 50% is a guideline more than a rule.The way a lender,buyer,and a seller look at NOI are all different.What I mean is a lender will often base their underwriting criteria for doing a loan not based on actual numbers but the lenders numbers based on if they took the property back.Example:I buy an apartment building.I do the property management so I save 10%.The lender will factor in the area average regardless of what the schedule E returns from the seller say.If they take it back they will pay someone else to run it.So all these parties will view a property from a different perspective.If you can appeal and reduce takes that will increase NOI.If you can get a fire-dwelling policy for a house that is cheaper on a group of quad's you purchase versus a commercial policy.Some of these apply to commercial more than residential.I don't automatically discount a property based on the 50% guideline.If everything has just been replaced and my exit is in 3 to 4 years then the updating and expense will be on the next purchaser.Plus if for instance my properties are being redeveloped and torn down I am not going to put much money into them.I will keep them liveable for the short term knowing I am being bought out.

Just to give the rest of this story (in case anyone was thinking of trying this) - the guy lost the house and there are people being prosecuted for trying this stunt.From the AP:FLOWER MOUND, Texas (AP) — After paying $16 to file a one-page claim to an empty, $340,000 home in an upscale Dallas suburb, Kenneth Robinson moved in furniture, hung a "No Trespassing" sign in the front window and invited television cameras inside for a tour.He quickly turned into something of a local celebrity, creating a website, http://16dollarhouse.com , where he sold an e-book and offered training sessions for would-be squatters.

Multi-member LLC's can help with the reduction of IRS audit exposure since 8825(rental property form for a partnership) is audited a lot less than a schedule e(rental property form for an individual/sole propriertorship)So while you may not have all the asset protection you want, A good multi-member LLC with a carefully drafted operating agreement and an umbrella insurance policy, is the best shot out there for a Landlord