Get a second job and save all the money you earn from the job.

Continue to save money.

If you are buying FSBO then you can explain how they are saving money, etc so the net number they would have received if listed is similar to the number you are offering.

If you can't make/save money by doing something different, you mind as well keep doing what you are doing until you find something that does.

Nah, save your $.

My family thinks im crazy to use my saving to invest but when they see me in 5 years they will be the crazy ones.

I was just so amazed at how much money we saved, but i didnt know if this deal was a one-of-a-kind sort of thing, or if this is just what REO's do?

The type of info I am looking for right now includes what to expect on my first real estate purchase, how much money I should have saved, the type of mortgage that will be right for me, and last but not least, how to make money and invest in my future through my proprties.

I want to know this because I think this will save me some money on the mortgage( I have taxes insurance and PMI all included ) Also for anyone living on NY on average how much does STAR save on your taxes?

Once you had the paperwork yourself and understood the process for setting it up I guess it would be pretty straight forward.Personally I think I would prefer just to double close it and save the hassle of all that, but to each his own.