http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/17/detroit-shrinkinghttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-24/half-of-detroit-s-streetlights-may-go-out-as-city-shrinks.htmlDETROIT, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Imagine a city with open space larger than the size of Paris, where people are planting hardwood trees and vegetable gardens, and neighbors have plenty of room to spread out.It would sound so idyllic, if only it weren't Detroit.The open space is largely abandoned land, the lack of neighbors the result of an inexorable exodus, the planting the work of residents striving to stop the blight from spreading.America loves a big comeback, but Detroiters harbor few illusions.

using flooring nails and a power nailer which is the best way to go. so you don't beat the wood with dents from missed hammer blows.but if all you have is a hammer have at it but be careful.ok now for the staining.I recommend you get three cans of stain all of which should be close to your color of floor. going a little darker but not lighter. if you use three colors lighter by a shade if you use four colorscarefully use a darker shade against the nearest board of the old floor followed by your lightest shade followed by another darker shade followed by the middle shade. be sure to stay in the lines of the board and try not to go astray.actually using a rag turn it but dont worry too much about keeping your colors too separated the more contamination of stain from board to board the better it will give more illusion of uniformity in contrast this sounds contradictory to what I said about staying in the lines.

Though not necessarily RE related..the book by Richard Bach called "Illusions" is an excellent read.

One thing nice about the tan....easy to spot rehabs on the market, lol.Just did a paint job for an investor client taking their tenants wonderful pink paint job back to off white, lots of good ones out there, used one that had a gray/blue hue to it which gives the illusion of color while still being "white".

@Stephanie Foret....An off RE topic book but a great inspiration is "Illusions" by Richard Bach.

The illusive VA renovation loan.

I have tried for a year to find these illusive "off market" of "fixer" gems.

By paying 100%, it will take you much longer to recover all the cash you spent, and that added cash flow you think you are getting is an illusion. 

Hello, my name is Jennifer.  I am new to BP and my partner and I are in the process of buying our first duplex in St. Paul, Minnesota.  I wanted to introduce myself and start with a question.Some of the books I have r...

I still have the illusion that personal hand written introductions work best.