Offer above asking (waiting for the appraisal police)...

If nothing in writing the landlord should return the SD if not the tenant should file a police report for theft of funds.Joe Gore

Other than Mabank and Gun Barrell the local police departments have gotten pretty abusive.

But they grew and improved and now you only see the descendents of steam shovels in very niche markets.Disclaimer: just my opinions

Now Midtown and Corktown are picking up.The biggest hurdle facing the neighborhoods in Detroit has been the abysmal level of public services, especially lighting, fire and police.

Self policing helps but maybe @Joshua Dorkin and the BP crew have some ideas on how to get the system to identify these listing automatically?

<g>People renting a 'just-until-our-house-is fixed/done' house want it to be close to their house.They say they had dogs there.Their neighbors all still live there.Their police station and officers are still there.Their house is being repaired by an insurance company - if there was anything other than fairly slight damage - it would be a teardown.Their yard wasn't damaged by the fire.All you have to say is: Wow; that's horrible.

Furnace was still in the living room along with some other things, so they called the police and left - the police are currently waiting in the house, hoping the guys come back.I'm just sick about this.

If your tenant does not pay, you must cover the entire mortgage on your own now - If your evecting, this may continue for several months - with a duplex, at least you would have another rent check to fall back on.Also, when you consider taxes and insurance - it would cost more in taxes if you purchased two homes and paid for two insurance polices Vs paying taxes on one property and only one policy.

Now, I have to tell you that the Novi Police Department doesn't tolerate crap.