Find that kind of agent in your area.In a normal conventional residential sale, yes, I normally recommend hitting the bank first. 

As well as hitting the timing of the market correctly.Real estate is a lot about timing and cycles our market the cycle ended for most good deals in 2012 when the hedge funds came in ( what I was buying for 50k rehabbing for 20k selling at 85k )Now they are pre rehab $110k or higher .

IN our state you can get monthly fee's as low as 199 a month. the 2 year experience seems to be about nationwide Right now my wife works at a broker who charges flat fee of 1k per month and its full service and include E and O.. she will hit her minimum in one to two months usually then the rest of the year no fee at all.

I tend to share your views, sometimes the best investment is to not invest.As a rehabber I was on the sidelines much of 2014 because nothing would hit my numbers. 

That 3.5% - taking into account all of the income and all the expenses that are most likely to happen - that's what we call the Internal Rate of Return (IRR).Real estate isn't that different, with one BIG exception: the bond market is very efficient at allocating capital ... real estate is not.  

Looking for honest and realistic advice on most efficient ways to succeed at REI while doing it on a part-time basis.

We are looking to investing in Portland Or and need recommendations for a responsive and efficient property manager.

Ft.Apart from Elementary school, all others are highly ratedPrice: $290,000 (Original listing: $332,000)Comments: Latest energy efficiency features.

I've also heard that Milwaukee hits the 2%.

And we are in the same boat...have used one of our VA loans and just hit the 1 year owner-occupy requirement.