There are certain types of renovations that -- because they change the fundamental demand for the property so greatly -- can easily add more value than they cost.

The web address should be in my signature below.

As @Alex Deacon said the fundamentals will never change so just know that prices have changed significantly from the 1st episode. 

Invest based on fundamentals in areas that will grow or be stable and with conservative underwriting and you'll be flying back to South Africa in first class to visit friends and family in no time. 

I'm definitely having some troubling times finding a property that meets the fundamental "rules" that help ween out some weaker properties.

I think you should expose the individual or company so other investors know not to use them.Good luck as you untangle this web

Fundamentally though the price increases are driven largely by inventory shortage, not risky mortgage lending practices so there's no reason to expect that the next credit crisis will stem from the housing market though it will no doubt be affected. 

Be warned:  It is what will make QB 'sticky' as we say in the web industry.  

There's nothing you can do to improve how the stock market behaves).Cons:Requires effort (stock market, you just buy some mutual funds on the web and then there's nothing else to do)Follow the IRS rules regarding prohibited transactions (when investing in the stock market, you have no opportunity to violate those rules). 

You can google their web address.