While I have been apart of deals, and have read plenty or book and attended numerous seminars, I don't know enough to fulfill my duties as a mentor. 

This page has been so useful numerous times through just a Google search, so I finally decided to make an account.

@Jamie S.has a good list, but, and no offense Jamie, every place is different on pricing, he lives in North Carolina, where you are in California, i can guarantee that costs are different in those two states. make a list like Jamie's and invite your contractor to Lunch ( we like free meals ) and get some rough prices by the square foot, by the square, per cabinet. then you will have something to go by when you walk into a house.

There are numerous trails in the city and within a couple of hours drive are Lake of the Ozarks/Branson/Missouri River trails. 

As someone who wasn't even sure about what real estate investing was about at the time, I had no less than 30 people just throw their business cards at me, barely even giving me their name or leaving a good impression.Furthermore, after paying $30 to get in, there was a speaker for an hour and at the end it was a sales pitch to get us all to buy their $1200 Business in a box.I have a friend who keeps forwarding me the CTREIA event invites because he wants to start going, but my time and money is way too valuable to spend on a sales pitch.Can anyone shed some light on the actual benefits of joining a local REIA?

The risk is when you are conducting illegal activity, it invites trouble.

I have had seven incidents and I am aware that other homeowners have had numerous leaks as well.    

I have been down this road many times and I have spoken, with numerous lenders. 

I'm sure it has been asked numerous times in the past, but for some reason I can't seem to find it.I have been lurking through hubzu and doing research (watching listings and making notes) to gain some rough numbers on what is happening with the properties I am interested in.  

Duplex was a foreclosure and has numerous small and medium issues including plaster work, plumbing, electrical work, tuck pointing and some other projects.