Our friend just bought their home 1 1/2 years ago and it has increase in value by $72,000 and they didn't do anything to it.  1 1/2 years ago they paid top dollar for the place. 

Typically not as much crime in East Memphis, and some of the better city schools are located here.Cordova is a much newer suburb of Memphis, I'm not as familiar with this area, but it seems to me that the original residents of the brand new homes are starting to leave and sell their homes to investors - which is leading to a decline in value and asset class.

My bank approves me every time I walk through the door with my assessment using the analyzer tool that you get when you sign up as a pro.I honestly wouldn't have the gumption to do what I'm doing full time without it!

thanks great advice.i was curious because some investors recommend interest only mortgages to grow a portfolio faster but i just can't get past the loan to value ratio not changing at all.i like debt as a tool for growth just don't like it hanging over my head for THAT long.

As many have suggested, it would be one of primary investment tools to rent while living there (such as duplex or triplex) to take advantage of low interest rate.

I assume this because along w the Pro status you get access to all the analysis tools.

I went to Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh for school - my undergrad education is in Architecture so I have all the tools at my disposal to design value-add spaces and as a bonus I'm pretty good at coloring in between the lines.

If there is one thing that I learned about RE is that you don't EVER want a balloon payment which is very common with commercial loans.....In bad times, if your property dropped in value, and you can't refinance it, you are heading right to foreclosure......

You think that your empty house, full of material and appliances and tools is not an immediate Target for theft?

Brandon Turners books on rental property have been invaluable in my newbie experience.