I typically watch for great companies and then wait for them to have a major PR nightmare , light McDonald getting sued, the feds going after MS, BP oil spill, PGE gping BK and selling at .10 / share ( now at $46 / share) .. all of these are opportunities to put your money to work.

The best to catch a fish without a worm is to get a worm!

- Energy Star appliances- Dimmable lighting / Eco bulbs- Cork / Bamboo flooring- Low-E windows- Energy Star water heater- High-Eff furnace- Convert fireplaces to gas- Convert oil utilities to gas- Add/upgrade Insulation- Set-up recycling bins.. just to name a few.

Wondering if an oil based paint would just soak in.Thanks, Rich

It's definitely something I'll keep on the radar.My Agriculture and Oil ETF's killed it for a year and I got out this summer (on gut and by luck) and I am glad I did.

@Angelo Caruso I would determine your reserve based on the age of the property, the age of it's most expensive limited-life components (roof, HVAC, oil heater?

Social workers investing in real estate can operate a secont chance business.There are lower risk fish in the sea.

The main reasons I do not like is the involvement of a HOA and many of them are built like well-fished apartments. 

It has helped us to achieve financial goals that we had otherwise not been able to meet.In my free time I enjoy biking, hiking, fishing, camping, and pretty much anything else outdoors.I look forward to meeting bigger pockets members, and thanks for providing such an amazing resource for real estate investors!

I had replaced the oil boiler in a 4U with gas immediately after purchase, and when I got a call in February that it was freezing I instantly ran up there at 10 on a friday night, fearing a failure.