Even thoguh the government requires hair cutters to be licensed.

The downside is you pay double the closing costs.If you really like the property and they're not offering enough cash to make it worth your while, then don't sell or assign it.Mike this is NC were they have upset bids AFTER the auction.. one must be careful in that state the Feds did a raid a few years back for bid rigging and some guys got some huge fines in the tune of 750k plus.. good ole boy network.while it can be done to assign your bid position it can be pretty tough in some markets like OHIO it a major pain. and since there are no closing costs at auctions you don't have to worry about double closing costs.. just close on the deal if you want to sell it sell it.. that keeps you at arms length for any thoughts of bid riggingto buy off a bidder to preclude them from bidding for sure is a crime.  

If you want cookie cutter, HOA, low maintenance, good schools, etc. you can't beat the Irvine Company communities.

I do share your disdain for the corner cutters.

I feel like a lot of times appraisal are rigged in favor of the banks.

If there are a ton of cookie cutter houses as comparables and a lot of recent sales then you will probably get a more accurate representation of true value than if there are fewer sales and comps being used not really comps. 

I'd like to believe that Portlanders don't conform to cookie-cutter standards (i.e. the notion that everyone wants a nice car and a 3/2.5 home with good schools), and that getting Portland right is about knowing the different neighborhoods well and targeting a specific niche (e.g. maybe secured bike parking and a rooftop garden is more important than a garage and a yard), but we might still just be like everyone else.  

It might be better to focus on an area that is less "cookie-cutter" and the home are older.

I realize pay is somewhat regional and a pay cut might come with moving.Ideally live in a center-of-town area...sidewalks, trees, community, the more walkable/bikeable the better, trying to stay away from the cookie-cutter homes and suburban sprawl.Bonus points for universities nearby, airports and highways within reasonable driving distance.

If you have not already, you need to have a competent plumber with the proper equipment run a cutter through the line to clear the roots and prevent a blockage.