When it comes to buying investment real estate, there are many schools of thought on how to get the most out of your money. Some say lease optioning your houses is the best and safest way to go. In fact, I believe this to be true in many cases. For getting the most out of each investment dollar, though, and seeing a quick return, I believe that it is best to find property that you can rehab and resell.

Many people have tried this strategy and failed. Let me tell you why this is. Anyone can make money buying investment real estate, fixing it up and reselling it, as long as he or she understands how to buy and how to sell. This is the key. The people who fail in the rehab strategy of investment real estate fail because they know everything about rehabbing but nothing about buying and selling.

The real money is made by carefully evaluating the entire transaction. This includes looking at what the investment property will bring on the back end, or on the sale. Now, when you find a prospective investment property to buy and rehab, be sure to look at your profit after all of our money is spent.

I would never consider a deal that I couldnt make at least 40 percent above my purchase price and all Ive put into it. So, if I pay $40,000, put in $10,000, I want to sell my investment property for at least $60,000. If I can do this in one month, Im happy, as long as Im not splitting my profit with too many parties. Even if I have a partner or two, a quick $10,000 in one month is fine, as long as I have another deal going at the same time.

Now, if you want to move your properties quickly, and a month is not a reasonable time, you might consider combining two strategies buying investment real estate for the purpose of rehabbing and quickly lease optioning the property. From there, you can move on to your next purchase.

Mark Barnes is an investment real estate and real estate finance expert. Get his free mortgage finance course at www.winningthemortgagegame.com. Mark is also the author of the new novel, The League, a shocking, sports-related conspiracy. Learn more about his suspense thriller at www.sportsnovels.com. He is also

Mark Barnes

Mark Barnes is a novelist, sports writer and NFL radio analyst. He recently completed his first novel, The League, a suspense thriller with a plot based on fantasy football and a conspiracy against professional athletes. Barnes is Suite101's sports columnist.