And then David followed through with the perfect breakdown/explanation (like always) the hammer that hit the nail on the head was when he explained the difference between a real goal and a wish list: I would like to, but don't want it bad enough....

You don't need that $169 hammer if you want to spend about an hour or so taking it up yourself.

Buyers hammer them for the lowest price, and sellers who got unsolicited offers 12 months ago now want that price.

I would start swinging hammers day 1.

I will say that any competent handyman can break into a lock set in under 15 minutes with a drill, hammer and crowbar.

There's plenty of guys who can kind of swing a hammer, kind of do plumbing, kind of wire..but actual licensed and skilled workers are hard to come by.

We would have had to BK  big bank would have pulled the plug  these guys went to bat for use when the regulators wanted them to hammer us.

If my wife and I both come over and there are 3 of us hammering it, we can be done and at the pizzeria by 8-8:30 on Monday night and the place can be shown the next day. 

@Sam Tanner- thanks ..there are programs that  allow  down payments as low as 0 -3.5%    2)  in the future -  keep funds  you need for  real estate business out of the  stock market  3)  bying something now will get you into the  game  whereas   waiting to a " better  time " or more opportune time  might  make you  never get into the  game   4)  as  you arent  married  - make sure you have  your loan  approval soidly in place  and  also make sure  you have the  details  all hammered out regarding the  possible  property  if you end up  buying before you  get married  ( eg-  what happens to the property if  you  split up  before you are married ??) 

I've been doing this since 2004 and have yet to paint a wall or pick up a hammer.