@Russell Brazil, I do believe the South Carolina contract is similar in that a clear CL-100 inspection is expected at closing, even if there is an HOA, but if not the buyer only has the following 3 options:Accept the Property in its present condition, Negotiate with the Seller for the payment of these repairs and treatment, or Terminate this Contract by Delivering Notice of Termination to the SellerWe have been clear that we won't be replacing the sheathing as we are not authorized to remove the siding to do so, but they haven't given notice on any of the above options. 

@Terri DavidAdd: I wish I could remember the author's name (if anyone's interested I'll look it up), but he described SFR's not as "real estate", but rather, "FEEL estate".

There are many additions that you could research around the web but for free and with an eye on local use Its great: http://my.mnbar.org/residentialrealpropertyforms/viewdocument/rpf41-minnesota-standard-residentia

I'll look up those authors.

This information is fairly easy to find on your local city / county web site. 

FOCM loans is advertising all over the web and offering some pretty fair terms for hard money loans.

I recently listened to podcasts 157 and 284 (interviews with author Hal Elrod).

I am a web developer living in San Diego, California area and have a long time interest in real estate, but have not jumped in as of yet.

Real estate is the last place you want to park excess cash if you believe we are at the top of the cycle. 

I do think the OTA's are a threat to our businesses and I also like controlling my own destiny, but is it worth the time, effort, maintenance and cost to drive my own brand on the web?