I assume, for you, most (or all) winter acquisitions have turned out well - meaning no unpleasant surprise in the Spring when things are easier to see.Has anyone had the opposite experience and found out in the Spring that there are large expenses for things like foundations, siding, or roofs that weren't detected because the property was inspected while snow and ice were present? 

Please no unwanted solicitation not related to the information I am seeking.Thank you

I write this way - frankly, with no hand-holding - to inform you of another viewpoint, a perspective formed by some valuable (albeit unpleasant) experiences.

Try buying and selling unwanted rural vacant land west of the Mississippi.

I don't ever plan to make this a full-time gig as my career as an engineer is fun and rewarding, but I like the idea of owning multiple properties and the financial flexibility that comes along with that.My wife and I purchased a new construction home in 2009 and took advantage of the $8k homebuyer credit.  6 years later we are selling our home at roughly a $15k loss, which is certainly unpleasant.  

You need to know what switch to throw to avoid unwanted occurrences and that guides you down the path required.

*We buy houses, *i have cash, and i want to buy your house, *unwanted or ugly house, and of course my contact information on there. 

Being a landlord can create wealth, but it can also be a very long and unpleasant struggle. 

I am hoping to owner finance discounted properties that are clearly unwanted (abandoned or otherwise).

I suggest you not go 30  years with a note going to an estate, your high school buddy may very well look you up with an unpleasant attitude messing up his parent's estate in their elder years, but check with an attorney familiar with estate requirements.......you can also address such issues with a conditional demand feature, if this happens then they can demand full payment in 6 months for example.