Many investors got into real estate investing over the past few years just to make money on appreciation. Others followed the old investing strategy of building up a number of rentals for the cash flow profits. Here are a couple of ideas for keeping your investment property cash flow in the black.

A number of lenders offer various programs for buyers to purchase homes without down payments. Part of the impetus for banks offering special mortgage terms to low and moderate income buyers is the Community Reinvestment Act, which requires lenders to provide a certain number of loans to those buyers.

Design psychology helps you with emotions: yours and your prospective buyers. You must learn to love your house at the same time you learn to let go of your home. Understand your target buyers' emotions so that you know what to leave in your home and what you need to take out for staging.

My husband and I want to buy our first home and fix it up. I've been hearing a lot about people needing to sell their houses in foreclosure. What's the difference between a short sale and a foreclosure?

Question from Stan: I see many houses for sale and many of them need fixing up. How do you know which house will make a profit? I want to start flipping houses right away.

Out of town owners ready to make someone a great deal.

Yesterday, I was talking to young Joe Luckino, owner and cofounder of Money4Investors.com. It's hard not to get the fix and flip bug when you listen to Joe's success story.

There are ways to improve your chances of obtaining a home loan, even if your previous history has been less than stellar. A high percentage of home sales are sold to single mothers.

Many investors think they don't want to flip houses because they're afraid of the tax consequences. Problems arise when real estate speculators don't follow the law.