Your practical guide to scoring cash to fuel your real estate investmentsWant to be a smart, successful real estate investor? This no-nonsense guide contains everything you must know to make the right choices about financing your investments - from the various options available and the impact on cash flow to the tax implications and risk factors involved. You also get tried-and-true tips for surviving a down market and using current investments to finance future ones.A crash course in real estate financing - understand standard terms and concepts, learn the various sources of investment capital, and gather all essential facts and figuresWeigh your options - decide which type of financing is best for your circumstances and incorporate it into your real estate investing planFinance residential properties - evaluate residential loan programs, navigate the loan application and processing, and handle the closingInvest in commercial properties - know the different property types, choose the one that meets your investment goals, and discover unique sources for financingTap into unconventional sources - discover the pros and cons of "hard money," capitalize on seller financing, partner to share risk and equity, and invest on the cheap with no-money-down dealsOpen the book and find:Real-world advice on financing without tying up all your capitalHow to get prequalified or preapproved for a loanQuestions to ask your lender upfrontWays to avoid common beginner blundersHow to protect your personal assets from investment risksBargain-hunting hints for low-cost loansStrategies for surviving a credit crunchTen pre-closing steps you must take