This site is marvelous :)

I have to assemble my REI team like the Avengers (Sorry Marvel, no royalties on that shout out.)

Maybe it's different in Tulsa but around here you would never get a skilled worker for $10.hr or even $15.hr....and I marvel that you think that's all a skilled carpet installer (or painter or drywall guy) is worth.If that's all your contractor is paying them, then I'd say the same thing to him.

My goal in life is definitely to become a leader/owner of some sort, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to live a marvelous life.

I think the inside look marvelous and you do more staging than I do.

Most HUD Brokerages deal with "extended" contracts and investors, as well as owner occupants.The "extended" properties can be purchased by investors.There is some marvelous information offered above... and we do these types of deals all the time.

I have no advice other than to marvel that I think everyone has lived in a place with those cabinets at least once in their lives.

I've noticed this often and marveled at it.

I spoke to gas station owners, locals, NYC transplans.. students and even cops.Took a walk across high bridge in poughkeepsie and wondered, why, with solid employers like IBM , natural beauty and so many educational institutes, Poughkeepsie was overshadowed by Beacon,Also marveled at the beauty of Newburgh. 

Doesn't mean they aren't still marvelous places to own property for the long haul, but don't just get caught up in the feeding frenzy of "needing" to make offers 20% over list with no contingencies just to get considered.I don't think we are in a huge bubble in this area or anything, but we have seen a hell of a run up the last few years.