I use "American Tenant Screen" since 1990 to do credit checks, evictions and criminal background checks.

I used index funds because that should be the only way to invest in stocks for the average American with the goal to provide a constructive feedback to this particular example.2. 

We just got 1 yr insurance on a 22 unit apartment for 2800.American Modern.For apartments I use HUB.

Unfortunately we live in a very litigious society.

That is the way I would expect any red blooded American business man to act.

I know that this is an old thread but thought that I would mention American Modern Insurance Group as well to insure mobile homes.We have stuck with them so far and have found their rates comparable to Foremost.

I haven't looked, but I bet there is one available here on BP.Finally, the AIA (American Institute of Architects) publishes guides you can purchase that give you all kinds of figures for calculating costs.  

In a web based society, what is the economic justification for the middleman when the seller can contact the buyer directly?

The American mortgage secondary market has been around since the late 1930's around 1938 to be specific.

Like duck hunting, American history, genealogy, stock market, and backcountry backpacking.