I agree with both of you ;-)...which is to say that both arguments have merits.

This legitimately sounds like an actual consultation relationship as it is for evaluating the merits of a deal and it is a flat fee.

Angels get to know you, your vision and your deal/product/company...then they decide if the total package merits VC funding.  

Holding on for appreciation has it's merits, but the key is knowing when to sell.

Larger lenders that are not banks look at your financial statement with liquidity and net worth to make decisions on a loan along with the merits of the property.You have some decisions to make and now is a pivotal time.

I'm just using the 50 percent rule to quickly separate out-of-the-question properties from ones that merit a closer look.

A lot of people here like to box people into categories (you're either "liberal, "conservative," "Obama-loving," etc), but having beliefs that don't fit into a neatly tied box is an indication that someone considers issues on their own merit as opposed to trying to determine what they're supposed to think about an issue based on the ideology they think they're supposed to espouse.

Just as you limit your time to one or two and only if they meet with your approval, which also had to cost you something to figure out who of the hundreds or thousands of applicants would merit your time.The point is that mentoring is a good thing, but it also has its costs to the mentor.

If no to both, then you have to earn the loan on your own merit.

However it has merit, shop around for a contractor.Great comments above, especially Aaron's and Randy's as they are pointing out considerations investors must address.Saying making some repairs to fix and flip is vague and IMO, the contractor wanting $500 to go look is really saying he's not interested.It all depends on the scope of work.