This same question can be posed to them (especially if they are a national company) for them to get an answer from their office nearby your proposed purchase.This should give you a reputable company or two in that area for repairs.The same type questions may be able to be asked to RE companies like REMAX, or Century 21, ect. and if the same names come up you should be able to trust them.But I am also in agreement that it may be best to stay in your market to get a few deals under your belt.

Banks have not been ethical for decades, centuries.

And no - compulsory service tank commanding over a quarter of a century ago does not give you the power to "just know".

"Downtown will never be vibrant again" - this may well be the quote of the century. 

We are probably in the last oil century now and it makes sense to get it out as soon as we can.

This was pretty much the practice during the 19th century and the U.S. economy grew rapidly during that period.

My research of the Cincinnati real estate market has led my to in interesting little neighborhood called "Over the Rhine"; So named after the Rhine river as the area was first settled be German immigrants in the 19th century.

I had a license in Jersey for years and worked for two indepenents and Century 21 and Coldwell Banker.

That is, both from a portfolio management perspective (my perception of your portfolio), as well as expsoing yourself to high growth areas of the 21st century I think international equities (developing nations to be more precise) is your best bet.

I know the people who have done it.I also know families where the family wealth is centuries old.