Quote from @Richard West: My name is Richard W. 

It's a gem out west.

Hi All,I've been looking at purchasing a property to use as a short term rental in and around Madison, Lodi, Spring Green, and the driftless region to the west.

Hi Steve,My name is Koel Gaylord and I live in West Lafayette.

Los Angeles market for house hacking.Is it generally better to buy a duplex for house hacking in a better area, for example, Silver Lake, but pay a bigger down payment(20%-25%) for a move in ready home or buy a fixer upper duplex in West Adams and pay minimum downpayment 3.5-5% and spend the rest on renovation to gain forced appreciation.

Entry price points are much more affordable than anything decent on the west coast.

Seems like the hottest area right now for that is West Dallas around Singleton and Hampton.Some in Oak Cliff as well especially on East Side of 35.You're a warrior though if you're building spec homes as a small builder. 

From Glendale, West Phoenix  to East Mesa and Apache Junction. 

This place in Shibuya looks pretty good, but they don't take reservations: http://en.southerntower.co.jp/dining/lounge-bar-so...We could also meet in the viewing lounge of my building in Ikebukuro, which is a great space and would be cheap (photos below):West Park Tower Ikebukuro 3-21-13 Nishi-Ikebukuro Toshima-ku TokyoI'm willing to go back to the original place as well.  

I'm looking for recommendations on a sponsor broker in West Michigan that would be amenable to that, so I'd be very appreciative of any suggestions!