I rented out the additional bedrooms to friends and family, charging them well below market, and sold when it was time for my wife and I to start our own adventures.

Our exchange didn't work out and they returned the proceeds via wire as soon as our 180 days were up.I not sure I am doing this correctly.

I’d also love to hear your predictions for how the real estate financing landscape might shift this year and how you plan to position yourself for success.

Bird dogging is a way to make money but its not gonna get you rich.WE have had many do some birddogging for us on the private lending side to find qualified people that need a loan and its interesting how many last a few weeks - I sense the same holds true for real estate bird dogs.

Why isn't anyone doing it?

You good contertops and do a tile back splash with some color I think white subway is becoming a bit dated.  

The problem I ran into was that most buyers that wanted to do it, couldn't bridge the equity gap and the sellers needed the equity to go buy the next one.   

Think about it. 

its always cheapest to just do it.

Then progress to permits and then building.You could also just do it and hope the city doesn't notice, which they probably won't.Your challenge will be getting Certificates of Compliance on the units!