In investment real estate the quickest way to wealth is through owner financing, or lease optioning. So, let's take a look at one model transaction, involving the purchase and sale of two properties on lease-option contracts so you an apply it to your own investment real estate system.

Assume you buy an investment property for $50,000 to $60,000, and you sell it on a lease-option contract for $80,000. You receive $4,000 as a down payment from the buyer, and you will get the remainder of the balance in 12 months. You’ve created a note for the remaining $76,000 that pays you $570 monthly (interest-only payments of 9%). This gives you nearly $7,000 more in interest payments, if you keep this property for a year. You then find a rehab property in an inexpensive neighborhood that you can get for $35,000. You offer a 10% down payment of $3,500, promising to pay of the loan in 13 months or less.

Now, you can use the $4,000 from the first property, so you don't have to come up with your own money for the down payment on your second property. Offer to pay 8% on the remaining $31,500. This is a monthly payment of $231. Be sure your agreement allows you to defer your first payment for 30-60 days. Now, if you can’t sell the house in 13 months (this certainly won't be a problem, though), you’ll have the cash from the first house you bought, when the $76,000 balloon payment comes due in 12 months, so you won’t lose anything or have to get your own financing, when you have to pay off your second home in 13 months.

You see, you always cover yourself, when using this approach. If you purchase smart on this second house, you should be able to put a few thousand dollars into it and re-sell it in a few short months. Be sure you make a profit well above your $35,000 purchase price and anything you have put into it. Again, if you buy smart, after a few grand of rehabbing, you should be able to sell the property for $45,000 to $50,000. You wind up making roughly $30,000 to $35,000 in a year or less on the sale of your first two properties. This doesn't include the extra thousands of dollars in interest you've made on the payments you're collecting. Learn more about this strategy at www.winningthemortgagegame.com.

Mark Barnes is the author of the new novel, The League, the first work of fiction, based on fantasy football. He is also an investment real estate and home loan finance expert. Learn more about this suspense thriller at www.sportsnovels.com. Get his free mortgage finance course at www.winningthemortgagegame.com