All Forum Posts by: Kip G.

Arizona's rate starts at 16%. A lot of counties in AZ use reverse auctions.

I'm dealing with the same issue now. I find the idea of taking on debt in the current environment to be very scary. No one knows what's ahead - inflation? deflation? stagflation? massive unemployment? who knows?

On the other hand, my goal is to be financially independent within the next 5-7 years and leverage will help me reach my goal.

I'm not totally sure what I will do yet but I'm leaning towards taking on the extra debt. I have 4 properties free and clear. My plan is to get a 30 year fixed rate mortgage on one and use that money to buy two more properties. That way I will have three properties supporting one mortgage. I figure if I keep that ratio I will be okay.

I don't want to be over-leveraged so my hope is that by having 3 properties support one mortgage I should be okay if the economy tanks.

My folks go to a dentist in Algodones, Mexico and they have paid about $10000 lessso far on their dental work versus what they would have paid in the US.

I went to the guy once (I can't remember his name but if anyone's interested I can find out.) I was nervous about going to see him before I went but the place was very clean and he did good work.

He got his DDS here in the US at Loma Linda University and did post grad work at Harvard. He lives in AZ but works in Mexico. My parents totally love him. I would go to him regularly if I lived closer to the border.

Great question and one I'm struggling with now - should I hire a financial planner or continue to do it myself?

My concern is that I want to make sure I'm on the right track to reach my future goal of finanical independence but I don't want to pay someone who won't provide real help. My next few years of real estate investing will be critical to my long term success so I want to make sure I get it right. I'm not sure whether to leverage my current holdings, how much leverage, what type, etc. I don't know if a financial planner can really help with that or it would be a waste of time.

Are financial planners familiar with a real estate investor's needs or would they just offer generic advice about 'balancing one's portfolio' between stocks, bonds, real estate, etc." My initial impression is that most aren't overly familiar with a real estate investor's needs. I don't want to pay someone who just wants to make a commission off me.

That's all just a long way of saying I don't have an answer to the question. The only thing I'm sure of is that if I do use a financial planner I would use a fee-only planner. I would love to hear from people who have used a planner to get their experience.

I am closing on an investment property today with Countrywide and got PMI.

I'm going to be in Indianapolis this week looking at property. Anyone in Indianapolis want to meet for dinner either Wednesday or Thursday and discuss real estate? Just PM me. Hopefully a group of us can meet up. 8)