And the example that they use of a guy that is making a decent return in the rental business...fails by the 2% rule!...

A few calls to property managers will give you a feel for vacancies and time to lease.Do you have the necessary reserves to cover things like AC or a roof when they fail... as they always will.What is your back up plan for when you realize that the property manager isn't working out?

They had two deals for the asking price, but the buyers failed to fund the deal.

As with so many things in life, the answer to your investing problems are completely counter intuitive to what you think that they are.I have spoke with Hundreds and hundred of wanna be investors and I can tell you in 99% of the cases the trouble has nothing to do with:The Real Estate Market...The amount of buyers in the market...The prices rising or falling...The amount of information that they've studied....Whether or not you have a business card...Whether or not you send post cards...Whether or not you have a good Realtor...Whether or not you have cash...Whether or not you have credit....Wanna know why most newbie investors fail?

I think where some gurus/coaches/programs fail is in getting you really pumped up and setting yourself goals which are not realistic in terms of your life thus far - setting yourself up to feel like a failure when you don't change into an overnight success.

Jon,Local short sale investors here have indicated that they have shorted investment properties of other (failing) investors.Banks aren't sympathetic towards the defaulted investors; they're simply looking at lowering their losses by accepting the short sale, just as with an owner occupant property.

That tenant might be a good risk.If a business failed and now there is a good job, that might be a good risk.If bankruptcy was caused by foolish spending and unwillingness to pay bills, the leopard doesn't change his spots, and that applicant is a bad risk.If the bankruptcy was several years ago and bills have all been paid since then: good risk.

If any seller, including the federal government, has the obligation to keep the property in good condition to closing, if they fail, you have recourse.

There are supposedly many more small banks that will fail in near future.

As an investor, do you really want a failed Realtor in control of your financial future?