Originally posted by @Sandy Uhlmann:After much research on the various companies that offer online payments, I chose eRentPayments. 

They built a room out of my living room with a dead bolt sand I was not allowed access.

They flooded badly after either Irene or Sandy and never recovered.

While there are a few preliminary inspections for underground work, sewers, etc, the pre board inspection is the 'big one' in terms of the amount of work to be reviewed all at once.Here is a list of what is inspected at the pre board phase: Electrical - all wiring in the house is exposed and can be examined easily by the inspectorPlumbing - drainage, venting, water lines and other elements are looked atGas - a pressure test is shown to the inspector to show the connections are not leakingFireplace - the install and mainly the venting of the fireplace is inspectedMechanical - the furnace, ductwork and return air installation is reviewedBuilding - the structure, engineered work, soil bearing report and sulphate test, radon gas penetrations, fire barrier and many other minor items can be reviewed hereThis multitude of inspections can be helpful to identify any of the countless mistakes or omissions the builder can encounter during the construction process.

The solution is often to retain the soil on your side and you have multiple options here.

@Sandy Uhlmann , you can invest it with a flipper at @10% for a year or if you find a vacant lot priced for that amount, it could be another option.

Some of the walls were old with a sandy texture so I skim coated and sanded them myself.

What is the soil like?  

I always write up the best offer and then make acceptance conditions include inspection pest and water testing sometimes Soil and Geo in some areas with expansive soils that might break slabs.

@Andrew Morales one thing I did starting out was attend the local Real Investors Association Meetings there is one tonight in Sandy.