Understanding the local market trends, property values, and the needs of potential buyers or renters will give you a significant edge. 

Would it be better for me to go with cheap windows or is it possible for me to buy windows myself and have somebody install them and just cut out the middle man?

This ENTIRE industry is filled with promises and people who have "secrets/proprietary" stuff that gives them and edge. 

An IRS lien, code violations (weed abatement, grass cutting, boarding windows-doors, and demolition costs), HOA fees, water- sewer bills all go along with the property providing the property has any of these. 

Hi Eric,In my opinion, it's a double-edged sword.

I "harden" them by polyurethaning the raw edges on miters, and the underneath lip along the counter especially by the sink and dishwasher, and the sink cut out.

We are just refinancing a loan.Here’s how it works: You create an LLCYou buy a homeYour LLC gives you a loan for the homeYou file the deed for that loan at the county courthouseYou use the money from the LLC to buy and fix up the propertyOnce the property is completed, your conventional lender comes to refinance the loanYour conventional lender runs title and sees there is a loan.Your conventional lender refinances you into a new loan, and cuts a check to your LLC…a check in the amount of 75% of the value.

Due to higher taxes and home insurance rates, our cash flow has literally been cut in half.

Focus on saving for down payments, cutting expenses, and maintaining good credit behavior.

I finally found one at 20% higher than I was paying, but with a higher deductible and greatly reduced coverages (loss of rent from one year to 3 months, liability from $500K to $300K, everything else cut or excluded).Personal opinion (I work in insurance) and those of pretty much everyone I've spoken to in the industry feel we are at least a few years away from anything softening.