The line I used had a diamond coating that had 0% chance of scuffing, and came with lifetime warranty for any failure at all, including it was waterproof.

Also are most of your deals found if market or are you still able to comb through the MLS and find some diamonds in the rough?

You can find definitely find diamonds in a coal mine if you know where to look, even in Del Paso Heights!

Listing brokers have a volume business.Maybe 15% of properties are the diamond ones.

I always try to do that whenever possible, just in case I find great grandma's diamond ring (which I'd give back if I knew how to find them!).

@Sean Price The market is good, but I do get the feeling it is much better in other parts of the country, so relatively speaking it's not good compared to other areas.However in absolute terms the market here is doing pretty well, with both rents and prices rising a good amount in the last couple of years.So if you're already set on Rhode Island, I think you could do reasonably well as an investor or agent.Every town has its pluses and minuses so I think it really depends on where you settle, how far you want to travel (especially if you're managing properties yourself), etc.Many people like to focus on Pawtucket because it's closest to Mass. and is close to the Attleboro T stop... but many people are also aware of this, so there's more competition there.So there aren't really any secrets or "tips" to give out, since most market participants (or their agents) are in tune with the market for things like that.Another area you could investigate is the west side of Providence which includes Federal Hill, but again, that's no big secret, many people know that area's been improving, and prices have reflected that.My suggestion is that you get settled in on the ground and then start investigating areas yourself, talking to agents, attending or joining at least one real estate networking group such as RIREIG in RI or Black Diamond REI for southern Mass, and seeing what areas appeal to you for the factors that are important to you.Good luck, and of course as you have questions along the way feel free to post them here on BP :)

If they are a GREAT agent, they'll even drive by a couple properties and scope out the neighborhood and send you some videos to review so you don't have to make the drive out for every single property.You can find diamonds in the zip codes mentioned above, as it's really street-by-street not zip code by zip code.

Has anyone bought the overages blue print by Bob Diamond?

IRENA =RUBY, Guadalupe = Saphire, Diamond = next etc...to the point one gal married a guy named Carson...guess what they got for a wedding present.

  =)  Fredericksburg is growing, has proximity to the Quantico base, and the 95 HOV lanes are being extended:http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/fredericksburg/i-95_express_lanes_fredericksburg_extension.aspI tend to agree with @Adrienne Green that JUST OUTSIDE Fairfax County is the best place to do this (in VA), but I bet it's also possible in a few closer-in areas, such as Springfield or Alexandria, where there might be "diamond in the rough" older houses and where your commute might not be too bad (train or Metro).I know a fabulous agent in Fredericksburg if you want a recommendation.