I am a long time lurker, first time poster from the Salt Lake City, UT area.I have been studying many different aspects of real estate investing and am wanting to get started on the lending side.  

Any contractor worth their salt won't hesitate to submit a detailed line item bid on any work that needs to be done.

I would think having someone willing to pony up to share bridging the shortfall would put you in a class above the other buyers....or Boston is totally diferent (and it may well be so take what I say with a grain of salt )

Feel free to break out your salt shaker.   

I am driving my net worth and own no assets whatsoever" (so take my advice with a little grain of salt)." vs "I suggest owning the cheapest piece of crap that will get you from a to b.  

I don't/haven't owned any investment properties, so take my reply with some salt.1 Sell/1031 - you lose the $(x?)

I'm a relatively new investor so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. 

I did a little research, and fortunately none of the cities we own in requires them.Most of Salt Lake County started doing it in 2011, Ogden has been requiring the classes since 2004. 

I do leave shovels and salt too. 

Since I will be moving to Salt Lake City I am trying to find a good house that I can house hack.