If the market in Central TX tells you to you could buy two 100K properties with 50K down on each or four 50K properties with 25K down on each - or any combination you can come up with that buys at least 200K in real estate using 100K in cash.Another interesting option available to you and maybe one that is attractive given where you live, is that interests in oil and gas production are considered like kind for all types of investment real estate.

@Joel Owens my guess is that propane is the fuel source for heat, and maybe even hot water and cooking.

BUT, it probably costs me around $2000 a month after adding in insurance, taxes, electricity, fuel oil, dump fees, cable tv, plus maintenance costs, plus maintenance and yardwork time, plus owning lawnmowers and tools, blah blah blah....I love my home and it's a big step up in privacy and luxury from my apt but it was a LOT cheaper to live in the apt :-)Investment properties, bought and managed properly, are investments.

I could never make money selling used cars :)...Well, you see....The brakes are flakey, the tires are worn so it is going to need an alignment, I hear a knock in the engine, it uses oil and the transmission doesn't shift right......Who would buy my car at retail?

This will also help reduce the problems of oil leaks.Forget going after the tenant.

High oil prices are going to put a clamp on big box centers and commercial real estate.

How many times have they announced that they are going to raise prices to offset higher steel/rubber/oil/wages/healthcare in the last year?

Without typing forever, I can only rationalize that Texas is what it is because of the oil and gas industry.

I'm looking for:Good school systemsLow crime areasResidential areas with few rentersQuiet side streets, cul-de-sacs are greatClose to amenitiesClose to transportationMust be positive cash flowBargain priced is usually a good thingNot next to:  highway, bar, junk yard, sewer plant, commercial area, loud areas, negative things that you can't change.Non flood zone areasPublic water & sewerNon oil heated housesYard not too large or too small

In our main house we're either cooking together, eating together, sitting on the couch together, or in bed together.