I think the benefit is that it can be done in under 2 days.

Their strategy has been to pay the properties off ASAP and so something that concerns me about the REFI is that it will be into a 30 year loan whereas if I keep throwing extra money at the existing loans, the property should be paid off in under 5 years.The property should appreciate over time.

You will not be inundated with people pitching products.

it would suck to miss a good deal on a technicality like if they don't like your POf letter for whatever reason...as for competition, the ones that are priced right are gone in under a week here, I had several I missed before I could even get in to look.

However, I would like to see the contractors come in under our conservative estimate and giving them my estimate before they bid won't do me any good.  

To be honest, I do think the market for my area is heating up quickly, but this is the third house in 6 months (I only have 3) that's rented on the first day of showing, all in the 30032 zip of SE Decatur, metro Atlan...

The big thing is if it is owner occupied or a rental.If she has always lived there and her gain in under 250K(252,500 price) she will not owe tax under the current. 

I certainly plan to inundate my mind with as much reading as I can.

Thought you'd come in under the radar while everyone is getting ready for the holiday huh?

If the bids come in under, more money in my pocket.