Im contemplating a move away bc i see the writing on the wall with AppFolio.

I'm contemplating signing myself and my husband up for August's training... just nervous to take the plunge.

When most US investors are faced with the prospect of converting (lots of) USD to JPY, to buy properties in cash, that in depreciate in value (when contemplating resale) and face decreasing rents over time... you need something else to justify choosing Japan over the US.

My wife and I just recently started investing in the past couple of years and have a MTR duplex in WI but have been contemplating the Duluth market. 

Most lenders will vary how aggressive they will get based on the experience of the operator (you), but I don't know any that will lender to someone who's never done a spec build like you're contemplating.

Seriously contemplating going a few years without any landlord's insurance. 

If you engage with them and seriously contemplate what they bring to the table, you will make a better decision in the end.And no one has tried to sell you a thing, just a bunch of real estate multimillionaires trying to help you, for free.

Ordinarily those tenant vacated damages would be too remote, but it sounds like they were contemplated by both parties at the time of contract.Were I in this situation I would be looking to state law to determine if the EMD is truly the extent of my potential liability as a buyer. 

To avoid similar rip offs in the future, the investor needs to bear responsibility for vetting any investment offering they're contemplating, or if not just leave your money in government guaranteed investments (like FDIC insured bank accounts).  

In order to encourage tenants to get renter's insurance, we have been contemplating instituting a $50 monthly fee until they provide proof of renter's insurance with the owner listed as an additional insured, but not sure how well that would hold up if we ever had to evict.