Even chipping that expense down would save me thousands.  

If you selling chip factory developments, well those may be 3-20 years before you get paid.   

On the other hand, you are playing with bigger chips now, so equity, principal pay down etc - all bigger numbers.If you are house hacking I would suggest something like West Allis or equivalent as entry level, maybe Washington Heights, but Tosa works really well and also Shorewood on the top end.

Brookings is cool and great fish and chips too.

I was just wondering how someone would structure a deal if family or friends were chipping in capital for an investment.

Chip in the kitchen sink, all day lighter bulbs in the fixtures (and working), all plugs holding a plug tightly and not painted over, etc...A Turn inspection.I think this is a pretty house, but it needs some little things to make it rent ready... like fixing the broken concrete to the right of the bottom steps.Good Luck!

I've made some great returns in equities but don't understand or trust it enough to keep a significant portion of chips allocated there.Also, not every smaller investor is deciding between real estate or the equities.

Thanks Villy, Matt, Blake and others for chipping in. 

If your neighbor's exterior paint is chipping, it will definitely becomes your problem as you mow the lawn (for example).

Much harder than regular ceramic so it won't chip as easily.