I've been thinking about this for quite some time. It seems like renting from yourself (or through an entity you own) would be a great way to reduce expenses/taxes overall. Renting from yourself would have a few of ad...

Hello everyone! I have a 401k with a company I work for. Although my career used to be with this company, I have started a contracting business in the last few years. However, I am still employed by this company on...

Hey BP, came accross a duplex and I feel the numbers are out of whack some where so I need some help as I don't want to over pay.

-2 studio units @ $500/month, rentometer/market has average rent around $575.
-Liste...

Hello BP,

Yesterday while I was doing a final walk-thru on one of my rentals. I noticed a property down the street was vacant. I knocked on all the doors in the area and one neighbor told me that the homeowner was ...

Hi, I'm from Portland, OR. I have a few questions about a duplex that's supposed to close on Friday. I want to live in one side and rent the other. In my offer, I requested that the seller serve one of the tenants a 6...

Hello BP!I realize that this may be a question that has already been asked: Is it recommedned that a newbie go at it alone on a short sale? What are the top 3 most important things I should know before going after one...

Since reading J Scott's diaries, I've decided to make one of my own about my endeavor in the real estate business. Hopefully I can get a lot of advice and also contribute to other newbies in the area. Long story long,...

So i see a lot of people ask what to use when estimating a vacancy rate or a cap expense rate. And a lot of times on pro-forma sheets a vacancy is listed at 5%. I just can't comprehend how that is a realistic number f...

I'm considering allowing pets (dogs only) at one of our listings to beef up the bookings and increase revenue (I hope). I've always been anti pets because I've seen what they can do and have cleaned up quite a few bac...

Hi BP! I'm a newbie looking to make my first purchase: a duplex. I'm planning to use Navy Federal Credit Union for financing with a 0% down VA Loan (my husband is Active Duty Navy) and house hack while working F/T. Th...