For my non real estate investments I have some IRA money in oil royalty trusts and in natural gas pipeline companies.

I'm fishing for other peoples approaches to see if I can improve or add anything... and the home is a steal for the right buyer...I posted on this forum because I wanted to talk to some other agents outside of my area... :)

I sure have missed a lot of fishing this year.

Offers a ceiling fan or dishwasher, for a slightly higher rent and gets it some of the time...On the insurance front, some firms, like the snake oil salesmen at State Farm, will refuse to do anything other than replacement coverage, as it pays them more.

My tenants oil furnace went out and they could not get it to fire back up.

I was pushed into full time due to job cut backs(I worked in the oil refining business).

Mark, As for souring deals, I fish where no one else does.

Most are oil stain and will require a good oil primer like Kilz for the paint to adhere properly.With all rehab decisions, like Ann said, do what the majority of buyers will like in today's market.

I read a lot of stuff about using oil vs latex and not being able to come to a solid conclusion was one of the several reasons I just replaced the siding.

I hope some day I will be one of the "big fish" in my pond, but until that time I just work, watch & wait.