If you bought in a lot of areas 3-5 years ago, you might not see any positive appreciation in your lifetime.

I want to know who your lending source is. Who's writing commercial paper with 10 percent down? Most I've talked to are still sticking with the standard 10 year term. You can bet you'll never see interest rates anywhere close to today's when it comes time to roll that over.

Well I had a truck and trailer stolen out of the yard last night. Truck is recovered already with no damage and trailer is missing.

Not sure what to expect now. This was my first trailer, so it is only a 2008 53 foot reefer (Wabash). I have a feeling they are going to find the trailer without the reefer. I don't know how they will proceed at that point but we will find out.

Main thing is trailer was empty. I do have rental coverage so will no more tomorrow when I speak with the adjuster.

I'm in Canada. Things are different here. A mortgage broker I talked to said he wanted 5% down for a duplex, 6% down for a triplex, and 7% down for a fourplex. I'd be more interested in positive cashflow from the property than in appreciation.

Hello there Merrick, * Congratulations *
 

You've done it now.. and all you need is to keep on keeping on > > > Good Luck *

I just discovered some Great News for "owner / operators" during these tough times !!

A Southeast Businessman is looking for about "12" honest dependable truckers (owner-

operators) that are interested in earning an extra $1,000 - $2,000 / month on a

consistant basis. Contact # is (888) 404-5550, Ask for Thomas.

Let your buddies know if any of them are interested.

My condolences.

My boss & I joke a lot about whether trucking is worse than real estate.

You will need a lot bigger down payment than that to get cash flow.

I was referring to your comment here:

"No matter how you look at it; when you're buying real estate you're getting an APPRECIATING asset..."

Must be a lot different there. Here you might swing less down on something up to a fourplex if it's owner-occupied. Anything over a fourplex is going to be commercial property. With the commercial market these days, good luck...even with 20% down. As LCH said, there are fewer and fewer markets every month where you'll get significant positive cash-flow with a minimal down. Maybe I need to move to Canada.

My properties are worth less every month. Rents are declining, my city utility bills for water and sewer are skyrocketing. Cash flow is disappearing. Buying a truck is actually starting to look intelligent. I'll take a WAG & say it could be a decade before they are worth what I owe on them. Unless we get into a high inflation scenario, which is not impossible by any means.

If you could find financing for small residential properties (non owner occupied) I'll bet you would need at least 25% down.

Right now, on a small investment prop, I can get 1/2% over the owner-occupied rate with 20% down. However, that's much different than what it takes for an apartment building. I've been watching the investment property picture out here on the west coast and it's getting a little dicey. I'd hate to see what it looks like in some other parts of the country.

Merrick, sorry to hear that, let us know how you make out with the trailer.

On another note, I just put a driver in my truck. I have my fingers crossed. Wish me luck.

I am now driving local here in Atlanta area.