Even if you hire contractors, you will still need to manage them, make sure they stay on schedule, and deal with surprises.

Larimer: Bit gritty there still currently but right beside very high priced neighborhoods and commercial business district of East Liberty/Bakery Square so could see it turning sooner rather than later would not be surprised. 

That doesn't surprise me about NJ, knowing what I do as a person who's lived in the tri-state area for 25+ years, especially since becoming a father and coming to truly appreciate what NJ has to offer offer.

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But most people also realize that money is usually tight and many people don't have $400 for an emergency let alone a bunch of extra money to put against their mortgage.

A cash-out refi could allow you to set aside some funds as a reserve or at least pay down your debts so that your lines of credit (credit cards etc) can act as your emergency reserve when more bad things happen. 

They specialize in uncovering all encumbrances and can save you from unexpected surprises.

He was surprised and when I asked him if he thought it was a big deal he told me: NOT AT ALL!

Life is full of surprises and it's how we respond to them that defines our character.

They will usually want to see you have the capital for closing costs and some "reserves", meaning they want you to have a few months left over to cover any surprises.