In my opinion, the goal is to consistently buy properties which generate a sustained positive cash flow and are located in areas likely to appreciate over time.

I am running IE8, version 8.0.6001.18702 in compatibility mode, (makes pages look right for many forums).I have the problem reliably and consistently.

However, we need to know if it's possible, and how, to report our house payments to the credit bureaus so that if we need to refinance in a few years our credit will show the timely, consistent payment.Can anyone suggest if.how this can be done?

Same thing in RE, if you can own something (almost anything) and it doesn't cost you, in the end you will benefit....pretty simple.What if you occassionally had to feed that horse?

Prospect, Arlington Heights, Palatine and (North) Hoffman Estates-I prefer properties which feed into one of the following high schools: Prospect, Hershey or Fremd.

It's more questions and considerations, and might interest you..http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/4579/blog_posts/32645-if-ca-h-is-king-then-leverage-is-god---loans-cash-roe-roi-and-riskThere are a million indeces, but for real estate specifically, I think looking at affordability indeces, how loose loans are (either through Federal Reserve loan surveys, % of subprime or low-doc loans), and consistency of % real estate price gains far exceeding inflation for a sustained period, are all risks to look for..Also, when you hear your dentist, then your mechanic, then your landscaper, then your landscaper's assistant buying up and preaching the wonders of real estate investments.. when it's the topic of conversation of every cocktail party.. and when it's the only asset class everyone wants to be in.. you know the market is getting frothy..!

All it's going to cost you is a lot of time and a bunch of elbow grease at first, but the payout is huge if you're consistent.

Each neighborhood can be different.Expired listings are on a public side here, they will show as being expired and agents drag their feet pulling them off.Need to watch the MLS closely, look at new listings, that will later feed either to sold properties or expire, generally in 6 months.

The duplex consisted of 2 units that were 1 bed/1 bath each. 

Is what you are proposing consistent with that zoning?