Beginning with the End in Mind...

[David Jarvi]

So much of the 'real estate educational complex' seems to focus on all the various 'gotchas/loopholes of real estate... (Credit Card financing, wraps, no-money down, wholesaling, short sales, buying all-cash site unseen properties from the sheriff, etc..etc..)

I on the other hand, want to have the most BORING, K.I.S.S. strategy as possible, (early retirement with as little as management as possible is the goal).

I keep coming back to the idea of financing $75-105K properties (25% down - 4% interest rate, 30 year fixed) in 2 or 3 markets.

These properties would be higher Quality 3 Bed/2 Bath places that need cosmetic improvements in cities with good schools and regions with good economic prospects.

Gurus: What am I missing?

[Sharad M.]

David, you are not missing anything. The great thing about real estate is that you can make it as complex or as simple as possible.

To me real estate investing very simply comes down to buying a property, fixing it and then depending on your exit strategy, either rent or sell it. What I focus on is buying a good property at a great price, getting it fixed right in most economical way and then renting it to a qualified tenant who is going to stay in the property long term and take care of the place. That's pretty much my overall business process.

Like @Jordan Thibodeau said, you have a criteria, just stick with it and work towards getting those kind of properties.