Thanks again for the response Minna.One option I'm actually considering is that if I were to purchase a property (assuming, as you said, its a great deal), rather than sell it after a year, I would continue to hold it.

They decided the market was TOO HOT when those kind of people were "playing" in it and sold out.2.

Of course, that's why the vast majority of newbies fail and I guess there is little you or I can do to change that (even though we continue to try).Mike

Just like being in a band, don't try to play all instruments.

I hope they stay at least 4 more, as long as they continue to be good tenants.My Home Warranty costs about $350 a year, which is a lot, but I CAN'T do the repair work. so if something happens, the tenant calls the MC who calls the HWCo, who calls a repair person.

In every lease option I've heard explained, including HuntMan1, the option price is always above market because the seller had no equity to play with and you want to make money when the leaser exercises their option.What I mean by "they are going to be renting at an amount that covers 95% of the mortgage" is that because you're assuming the mortgage "Subject to" and the seller has no, or very little, equity (the example HuntMan1 gave was 5%), you have to set the rent as at least the mortgage payment that you're now making, which is 95% LTV on the house.

Obviously, it is continuing to cost you money and it is counterproductive to hold it.

He is comfortable right where he is right now - we have a house, we have good paychecks, he works at oil wells (Schlumberger) and he loves being outdoors (play in the mud type thing), he loves his co-workers, he has his wine hobby (he makes wine and recently started making beer), we are all healthy and, except for a not so good credit, we have no problems.

Smart investors won't make an offer with just any agent--they want their offer presented by the listing agent to have an edge over this unfair play.

It is indeed the best I have found for those getting started and to continue growing.