Like changing realtors when they are having no luck selling, I have found that changing private eyes can make a huge difference.

The $510 decamps to $208 for the HELOC payment, $75 for lawn care/snow removal per month, and $227 monthly in owner paid utilities -quoted by the utility company- I plan to manage the property, but budgeted for management expense anyway- Furnace and roof were recently replaced- Loan terms are 3.75 with 3.125 points (included in the $7k closing costs above per the bank) - 30 year mortgage- My goal is to buy and hold with an eye on retirement, but of course I'd like to cash flow now. 

Ask the right questions and pay attention and it will be a real eye opener.

. :) This feels like bragging, but it was a lot of market luck, hard work, amazing friends, and a wife with an eye for staging.

Feel free to shoot me a message with what you're looking for and I'll keep an eye out for you!

It still was a good learning experience and made money in the long run.I wouldn't dissuade anyone from buying a HUD home, I'd just say, go in with your eyes wide open, get a good inspector / contractor maybe to walk it with you.  

The rise in home prices has been eye-opening.  

We will move on to look at other properties, but will keep an eye on it if it falls through yet again.

From what I've learned after some reading and from listening to many episodes of the Bigger Pockets podcast, some of the keys to success in my current field - including an eye for location and rehab potential, the creation of "added value" and "competitive advantage" and, more than anything, the ability to build relationships - are important to real estate investing and I'm excited to employ them in this new arena.I'm thrilled to find BP and look forward to getting to know some of you!

Being up to date on everything coming on the market that is an investment candidate puts me in a great position to get deals that meet my criteria, as well as keep an eye out for properties that may meet other investors buying criteria.