Add into the equation the cost of materials and it makes sense that builders are finding ways to cut overall build costs and one of those ways is to buy land cheaper. 

In the commercial & private money world its all fair game and case by case.Use of credit cards to purchase properties to acquire/capture equity, create, cashflow, provide additional tax shield/benefits against your income, and improve your real estate investing venture is definitely one way to go about it but it should not be the sole method since there are risks like many have mentioned above.If you're using business cards (linked to your FEIN - federal employer identification number) and it doesnt report to your personal credit then it might be more prudent credit wise because your Fico scores won't tank when you max a business card out versus a personal credit card (drop of 80-100 fico pts temporarily till you payoff).So with prudent timing (funds seasoning), knowledge of how to maintain your ficos so you still qualify for your cheaper conventional money, and how to use the cards to purchase can definitely expedite your REI journey.Most people I encounter would not have the know how to do it correctly as I see plummeting fico scores, in ability to qualify, and many other issues with using cards to invest on a weekly basis.Best of luck,

If they won't go to Disney for example, is there someplace fun and cheaper and closer they can go?   

Our personal house in a really nice neighborhood has actually appreciated less on a percentage basis than some of our cheaper rental properties in the same amount of time. 

Buying cheaper means more properties but probably the possibility of less desirable tenants in that area. 

This post isn’t how can I make the house cheaper or how can I make more from it.

It's not a terrible strategy except you tend to end up with broke, desperate tenants because those with reasonable funds would prefer cheaper rent and a returnable deposit. 

The cheapest permit I can think of that we've gotten in the last 4 years was $140 or so...You've pulled cheaper permits than that for me in Austell...  :-)My Baltimore City permits average about $50 per trade...

@Robert Gilstrap several reasons:1) Investors think they are smarter than all dumb ol' PMs, so the cheaper idiot the better.2) Investors think PM services are a commodity, so if they all offer the same service, price is all that matters3) Investors don't do enough research to understand everything a PMC does, so in their ignorance they default to shopping by price.Take your pick!

Keep in mind that anything you can fix prior to listing the house will be easier and cheaper for you fix if you find it before a buyer is involved.