Since real estate and construction intertwine with each other, I figured why not pick up some skills in the construction trades?

However, the trade off is you have to follow their rules, qualifications, and timelines. 

http://time.com/money/5197470/trump-pick-kudlow-pr...Of course, it is going to be hard to find an economist to say trade wars are good and easy to win.

At a macro level the owner is trading a higher price ($130K over appraisal) for favorable terms to you, the buyer (5% down and not having to quality through a bank). 

F-it, do what you think is right and let the chips fall where they may.Anywhos, you have the sort of problems that many would gladly trade for theirs.

The only thing banks don't like about crypto are the currencies they don't control.None of us want to return to trading the actual goods, so currency is here to stay.

I don't want the vehicle, but if it runs, I was thinking I could either give it to someone who needs a car, or sell it to them cheap, or barter trade it for some work or something else.

I have seen a three units in Cicero trade for that kind of money, and they would cash flow very well.

And yes, vinyl is more energy efficient but in terms of "dollars and sense", the actual energy dollars saved per year is negligible and doesn't necessarily justify the the trade off for longevity.

Once you're deemed credit worthy by lenders you can start using leverage which needs to be used VERY carefully but is also extremely powerful.I personally do NOT recommend that someone with a trades or self employment 'life track' as you are describing is best suited to buy a first house with cash, and for instance use your time to fix it up.Few reasons here:Firstly, often the kinds of 'cash deals' available are ones that can to generalize tend to be more cash flow type properties (as opposed to equity properties).