Investing Ideas - Please Share your Thoughts

[Ram Chandrasekaran]

Team
I have been researching and learning about Real Estate investing for the past 1 1/2 years. I have not been able to invest in not one property even if I "Really" wanted to as I do not have enough down payment and closing cost dollars. Recently, I read in one of forums in our website and the member said one of the excuses we give is 'I dont have money for down payment'. Couple of things I should highlight:

- I have so far looked at about 40-50 properties (probably more) and almost all of them have rents less than 1% of the property price. - All properties through Investment club meetings, friends, etc.

- Even if I happen to like one and think about investing on that, I do not have the down payment 'cause none is willing to give you 100% financing. I would at least find some way to cover my closing cost

That being said, the recent surprise to me is 2% rule. So far I have heard the 1% rule which is Rent being 1% of purchase price - Termed 'The Investor's Dream'. The 2% is "NEWS" to me...

Matter of fact, I was thinking to look at this Duplexes in TX that satisfies the 1% rule but I guess that as well is not good for investing. I have looked at properties in IN, TX, MI, LO, SC, NC and CA. None of the properties had the 1% rule except for the REO listings and the most recent Duplex listings in TX.

I am sort of confused... Is there an answer to my convoluted question? I might've digressed a little bit, but would love to hear the experts' thoughts. Thanks in advance.

Cheers!