The contract was upfront with me saying the reason the project took so long was because he had and emergency repair at a big complex that payed more.Boy i was biting my tongue.

One in an emerging neighborhood that needs cosmetics, light remodeling just sitting for $110,000.

Like I said I don't analyze well or even have the knowledge to look at some of those aspects you named but I try to buy homes I'd live in, in neighborhoods I think will appreciate, that add a few $$ to the emergency fund each month.

Our county fairgrounds opened up air conditioned rooms for the public to use because of the heat and the State was on the edge of declaring a state of emergency.

I happen to live in a small town that is listed in MSN's emerging top 10 'Places to Buy a Second Home" and so people are doing very well with investments and flips in this area.

(Only in the case of an emergency should landlords be permitted to enter your apartment without notifying you first.)

Some other things to consider:- A HELOC can be nice for covering SHORT TERM emergency repairs if you need that security.

i guess i am also holding home equity in high regard but that's only because i'm a saver and don't try to live a lavish lifestyle and am not too worried about needing to pull the money out (even though i know it's always smart to keep an emergency fund). my next investment would be financed by either:1) a combination of savings + sale of current condo2) a combination of savings + HELOC on current condo (but i also understand that there won't be much equity to draw on in 2-3 years)i guess the problem is i really like the area i'm in and think the property will be worth a lot in the future (5-10yrs).

If you have a REALTOR you used to purchase-ask them for a handyman that would do repairs for you that is honest & good, and contract your own repairs out-also BY LAW-AND THE CONTRACT-they can only do repairs above the limitation if it is an emergency, such as to damage the property or if it is a necessity to the tenants-ie; water/plumbing, a/c & heating, things like that-Maintenance is not a neccesity-I would threaten to do a dateline investigation on them-I think all PM's deserve it-and that might work too!

Unfortunately, because of these challenges Hispanics tend to be more susceptible to predatory lenders.American Home Mortgage has created a nationwide emerging markets division that addresses these mortgage lending issues and provides financing to documented and undocumented tax-paying immigrant borrowers with non-traditional credit.