You can easily figure it out exactly using the FV function in Excel.

Another indicator would be the cost of equivelant brand new homes compared to existing homes.In my area, it is still easily cheaper to buy than build.

No call, they lose.

Here is a recent one I found.http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/81783-debate-on-a-realtor-licenseI am a licensed agent, got mine when I was sick of waiting on agents and losing deals.

Also if I buy in Texas and I leave eventually I'll have to hire a management company to handle everything because of lack of connections down here-won't I lose a ton of NOI being "hands off" ?

You can lose your shirt in litigation if you don’t.

Should you check out earlier (we'll hope not), then you will lose alot of money (I understand that there are spousal benefit and period-certain options, but electing those options cuts your mthly payment, so the point is valid).

Its easily worth $100.

He had done two previous deals, his first deal he spent about 6 month working on the house himself an ended up meeting about 4000 dollars, his second deal he ended up losing around 10,000 dollars.

The way I typically see an u/w look at this income is as follows:$5,000 in monthly salary$500 car payment $1,000 house paymentBusiness that loses $6,000/year$5,000 * 12 = $60,000 - $6,000 loss for $54,000 in annual income or $4,500/month$1,500/$4,500 33% dtiDoing the other way you would end up with $5,000/month income $2,000/month liabilities$2,000/$5,000 = 40% dtiHope that helps.