It seems that some people's success comes from sticking to the rules while others comes from finding the gems that fall through the cracks.The biggest thing that stands out in this discussion is that what some people see as facts, others see as presumptions.

If you have any more nuggets of info please stop by to drop some gems on us, Thank you Sue!

You can still find a few gems there but you have to work with an agent who knows that market inside out.

It's time consuming but a good way to find unlisted gems. 

The banks know that these 30 year FRM (fixed rate mortgages) only factor interest monthly so paying extra like the above comment mentioned "does," save you interest but its only factored 12 times a year so instead of daily savings differenials you're waiting all the way till the next month for your lump sum payment of lets say $2000.00 to affect your amortization of your loan.The HOA product was originally started in Australia/UK and gradually came over but is still lesser known gem when used correctly.

We negotiated the short sale ourselves as agents and picked this gem up for $90,000. 

Hunting for properties is much the same ... most of what you find are merely rocks, but every once in a while there's a gem. 

Originally posted by @Giovanni Isaksen:@Chris G. is that vinyl plank flooring or sheet goods?

@Graeme Ford, my pleasure, and happy to share more gems like this when you arrive!

Thanks @Giovanni Isaksen, @Lorraine Pennington, Barbara G.Great advice, It definitely seems like everyone has a slightly different approach to 'stabilizing' a multi-unit like this.