You typically need to have skin in the game, but at the same time you certainly don't want to drain all of your personal reserves if you don't have to (i.e. if you used up all of your reserves on a traditional downpayment w/a bank - not only would it be gone, but then what's next?

Prime with odor blocking primer and repaint ALL surfaces.

I don't know that a HR Block will do it, but the next step up might work just fine.Skip the financial planner.

If you have an IKEA within driving distance, they make a really nice butcher block countertop that can easily be cut to size.

My sole intention with running the numbers in the BP public eye is to put myself on the block for criticism, and critique.

I talked about the idea of landlords holding block parties last year http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/2997/blog_posts/22502-why-landlords-should-sponsor-block-parties and some though it was a good idea.

This was from the contractor a block away from the house we were doing, others came in at 5,700, 6300, 6,500, 6700.

I've seen such vague ordinances being held unconstitutional, a recent issue was with three or more blocking sidewalks, calling it disruptive, but disruptive was not clearly defined and no one knew what conduct was expected.

The neighboring properties didn't have grass, and there were a few trucks up on blocks in the street.

They were delivered on the wrong block.