This seems to be a very active - and extremely informational - place...Thanks for the welcome....and I'm hoping I get out of this with a credit score still above 700....especially with the lending industry going the way that it is....One follow up question - how do you find a GC (or other repair man) who is willing to do small jobs - I have a few places which could use small jobs (e.g. installing one window, some trim, hanging ceiling fans, replacing door frames, minor electric work, etc, etc, etc)...but everyone wants large remodel jobs - not the small stuff....Help!

Have you ever gotten comps on an appraisal for a home you're buying where realtor purchased comps are extremely low (as they reduced the price paid by their 3or 6% commission?)

Craigslist can be an extremely valuable resource.

Let me try by using an extreme example.Pretend a 1 year baby is wheeled into the bank.

This may be a bit extreme but Utah RE brokers report to the Utah Division of Real Estate.

For a rental, that's extremely valuable!

it could be extremely lucrative I believe!

I insisted on speaking with her manager who told me there are better performers out there that could earn me up to 20 % but they were very volatile and extremly risky.I then asked about reit's and several other possible options that I knew at the time were performing far better than they had both told me was possible.

I'm an extremely fast learner, and willing to do the leg work.

Any and all tips much welcomed as I explore this new and extremely exciting path!!