However, the core principle is using a HELOC for interest rate arbitrage, a concept that can be replicated manually with sufficient financial knowledge and a spreadsheet, as some users point out.

It's based on commercial multifamily underwriting and modeling, but the same concepts, principles, and functions apply to small multifamily and single-family investing.

I am new to real estate. I am living in San Jose and looking for an opportunity to invest in real estate. I am a full-time employee and saving a seed money, but I am thinking about long distance investment within a co...

Jeff, the safest and most scalable plan usually comes down to one principle: don’t trade long-term control for short-term comfort.When you buy properties in cash, you eliminate debt risk but you also eliminate leverage, which is the main engine that accelerates wealth in real estate.

When I look at listings across upstate NY, I don't see anything that cash flows with 60-75% debt financing. If I wanted to purchase a $1-2M strip mall property for example, and finance 60-75% there would be substantia...

Your question is a perfect example of how knowledge of real estate law is one of the three foundations for building a sustainable, successful career as a real estate investor; the other two are knowledge of real estate principles, and knowledge of real estate financing. 

The market should lend itself to your principles. 

The same principle applies to appreciation of value.Single family homes in general are hard to cash flow so you might have to think broader and at other metrics besides just cash flow. 

When you write a lease "for a judge," you are essentially protecting yourself against the legal principle of contra proferentem.

If you never plan on having many properties, then a simple spreadsheet will suffice (KISS principle) Happy Investing!