Equity either acquired through TIME or CASH investment.Leverage will no doubt increase the potential of future returns.

If you have enough properties (or a large enough single property) to make good use of employees, I feel it is the smartest way to operate...as long as you A) LIMIT the types of work (to minimize injury risk...a worker's comp experience mod increase can put you out of business); B) pay what is necessary to attract a WELL qualified employee (NOT your typical "handyman"); C) are an efficient project manager, or are willing to delegate that task to the employee...and generally support his decisions/timelines.If you try to micromanage...you will have turnover, which will be more costly than hiring a contractor.

You should also ask your wife's employer if they will add a HDHP as some may add that with increasing acceptance of the HSA.

But, if my income doubled tomorrow, I'm absolutely confident that I would able to absorb that income and end up struggling with money.

Actually when they slashed rates, I was able to refinance most and actually get more cashflow, and now there is an increase in the number of people needing to rent, and not as many available rental units, so I am able to increase rents as well.Life is good!

`(b) Purpose- The purpose of the HOPE for Homeowners Program is--`(1) to create an FHA program, participation in which is voluntary on the part of homeowners and existing loan holders to insure refinanced loans for distressed borrowers to support long-term, sustainable homeownership;`(2) to allow homeowners to avoid foreclosure by reducing the principle balance outstanding, and interest rate charged, on their mortgages;`(3) to help stabilize and provide confidence in mortgage markets by bringing transparency to the value of assets based on mortgage assets;`(4) to target mortgage assistance under this section to homeowners for their principal residence;`(5) to enhance the administrative capacity of the FHA to carry out its expanded role under the HOPE for Homeowners Program;`(6) to ensure the HOPE for Homeowners Program remains in effect only for as long as is necessary to provide stability to the housing market; and`(7) to provide servicers of delinquent mortgages with additional methods and approaches to avoid foreclosure.

msedwick: Values have dropped 5-10% or so in the last year according to my tax records, but in terms of sales, things are pretty much flat - no increase or decrease.

A lot of people don't like options and will tell you all the reasons they are worrisome and you shouldn't use them... but for those that understand them, they lower risk and increase the number of deals they do.

To update this thread .....A bidding war broke out on this Unit, and I was badly outbid.I put in a full price offer, was informed by my rep that I was outbid, and would I like to up my offer.Now normally I wouldnt believe this, but this time I did, and increased my offer by 5% over list.

Sorry about that, WE (meant me and him) both had missed it from the listing” (which I’ve never gotten one from him) and he rationalized it by tried to have me offsets the $45/mo by increasing the rent to my tenants to justify his negligent and inconsistence informing.