When you take into account the fact that General Motors and Ford BOTH turned a profit last quarter for the first time in a long time, you begin to see that the real estate market in this area is not as it seems on the surface.

It taught us basic troubleshooting techniques.If you are in any way handy at all, and can operate a Volt/Ohmmeter you can troubleshoot the system and you'll discover that many, if not most problems are NOT air conditioning problems but ELECTRICAL problems.By knowing how to troubleshoot here's some of the things that I found bad and replaced myself:Bad exhaust fan motor, the one on the outside unit.

I have had one tenant burn out a ceiling fan because it was so dusty that when it was cleaned enough dirt went in the motor to stop it from working.We use Home Depot life time warantee paint so if a tenant puts holes in our walls it's a 25 dollar fee per hole and if it's scratched or dirty they are charged regardless of how old the paint is because it's warranted as long as I own the home and it's not damaged. ( The tenants are told to hang items on the wall with Command strips ) I use them in my own home and they work well.Our laminate floors carry a lifetime warantee as well so if there is wear or damage from not caring for it the tenant is buying a new floor.

For example:I picked up a Vortec T trim blower with all supporting mods for $3,000 (retails close to $9,000)from a guy who blow his motor up after a week of putting it together.

Unlike a failed motor or control, a door doesn't just fail.

The real goal should be reaching the point where you receive all of your taxes back like General Motors and some of the other large corporations.

If the outdoor A/C unit was under water, it may not work (or at least will need a new motor).

Think Ford Motor Company establishing the Ford Employees 401k plan.  

Paul, I have gone through this situation before and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Ohio is where you need to go.

Imagine an underwriter suggesting that the borrower sell his motor home in which he was living in until his construction loan was finalized!