It is way easier to get back on the path that you know so well and not cut through the brush and blaze a new trail, but the problem is that although it is easier to go back to what ya know, that path leads to the same unfulfilling results they have always received.Just a few of my thoughts from the top of my head.  

Andrew Jones You paint the entire Midwest with a wide brush, a common mistake I see from investors who refuse to believe there are areas with appreciation and strong economies there.

Since then I've still done my share of roller and brush work though.I always did my work in my "spare" time.

Now if anyone even points a paint brush at me I'll chase them down with a baseball bat (LOL)Love RE but I enjoy using options...

They make their profit when you start buying all the tape, rollers, trays, brushes, handles, scrapers, sand paper, buckets, screens and new fangled gadgetry along with a host of other products that may be required to finish all phases of the job at hand.Has anyone ever told you that?

I've always suspected this thing goes on in sealed bids, but didn't know there was a term for it.....Ray (and anybody else here).....regarding Realtors and their "ethics"First off, let me say this...I realize I'm painting with a rather large brush here, and this isn't representative of all realtors, just some I've met.

If you know how to use some tools and a paint brush you can do a lot of the things yourself = cheap labour.. haha3) Your question implies that you might not have that much investment experience.

I've also adapted a business model where 10% of every major good deal that goes through, gets funneled directly to these kinds of efforts--kind of helps keep me humble, oriented on what's really important, and makes sure it doesn't get brushed to the sidelines in a money making bonanza.

Brushes?

When I started I just factored backwards to what I would make on the deal and decided whether that was enough money or not.I know a lot of new investors brush over the 70% of ARV minus repairs formula, but it really is where you need to be.