I agree with Karen, 1. find what drives you and moves you to stay up all night to research and work on...then pursue that2. connect / network with successful people in that industry, learn from what they've ALREADY been teaching/sharing, then expound and creatively carve out your approach from there3.

This is exactly why I love biggerpockets.com, you have smart experienced guys coming up with creative ideas like Rich, you have smart experienced guys examining those creative ideas with a fine tooth comb and laying out the facts, like Bill, and you have smart experienced guys giving a well reasoned opinion like J.Scott and others here.Kudos to all, really appreciate all of you.Every investment has risk, it's how you manage risk and your own tolerance level for risk that matter to YOU!

The numbers on this one are a little more favorable and I see it as more stable.So, long story short, I'm considering incorporating an LLC, and jumping into lanlording and property management.

If you need to do some creative thing, get an appointment with the seller to present your offer subject to inspections

Creative.

I'm really looking to gain more knowledge from more seasoned investors and I'm really curious about creative financing options for my second investment property.

I agree, check with your local county records Door knocking is something I’m also thinking abouttrying once the weather changes in the MidwestI’m currently in mist of working with a creative real estate brokerage - I feel it will help with this type of advisements : seller finance, wholesaling, lease option,commercial deals , and etcLet us know how your results turnout

William,if your goal is to buy an investment property there are other ways to acquire investment properties and get a much better rate with a lot less money out of pocket, if you are buying an owner occupied home and your debt to income ratio is too high currently there are creative ways to acquire a home with a good rate with very little down while you work to get your debt ratio down.there are several other questions to be answered to help you achieve your goal.Marv Rousselow

(My thoughts are I could then write this off as my own expense)Or offer the $55k and make sure the furnaces are replaced before I close [I don't know if this is to be done after the inspection as a condition, or just have my broker tell them that's how I want it before we offer] My thoughts on this would be less cash outlay for me, I'm paying interest on that 4k over the yearsOr is there another more creative way to handle it that I just am not aware of yet?

Jon is correct, I missed that 78%, and so long as it appraises there, you don't need to get creative.