They spend everything they've got to make their first purchase so they have nothing saved up for the unforeseen issues that always pop up and they're still practicing the same bad financial habits they always have.It's beset to have a strong foundation with good credit, an emergency fund, etc.

If you hit you’re desired cap rate or ROI at 80% occupancy, anything a voice that is just icing on the cake.

When marketing my contract for assignment, can I then use the non-refundable EMD that I require from my end-buyer to then fund the EMD promised to my seller following the inspection period?

Forbes has a habit of putting something like this out every few years.The "bad" thing about investing your IRA in real estate is that the main Wall Street players do not have control over your funds and the means to earn commissions selling financial instruments.His arguments are entirely tilted towards to negative and not providing any context or perspective.I could just as easily pick 3 or 4 historically bad stock investments (Enron) or high fee annuities, and make it sound like that was all that you could expect if you went to a conventional brokerage - which is clearly not the case.For someone who understands real estate as an asset class, there is the potential to have your IRA produce consistent returns and have true diversification away from the news-cycle volatility of conventional financial products.

I don't think you can fix thisPlease note that the Auction site counter bids themselves on behalf of the owner to bring price closer to reserve.I am sometime bid on a property for 2-3 months until price is within my desirable rangeDon't buy a bad deal just because you cant a good deal

We do have a mortgage so insurance money goes to the lender which then does inspections to release the money.If it's still a desirable area it will still rent post flood.

I Have been reading books over the past 2 years or so on the subject and Have just finished "Finding and Funding Great Deals" which has given me the urge to just start somewhere and soon. 

About 5 years ago I made a mistake and withdrew about $5,000 from IRA funds that were rolled over from a 401k when I left that job...I am in my early 30's and I am wondering if I should repair that mistake and resave what I spent or just call it a loss?

Another good source of funds is to have the world’s largest remodel cover the cost for you.

Donnie, instead of reading forum posts that are scattered all over the place, you should try to find a book that explains the basics of real estate investing like how it works, why it's better than other forms of investing, how to fund it, how to manage it, etc.