Go to your local Home Depot or equivilant store Buy yourself some pcv pipe about 3- 6 foot long that you can  put a hammer in and some roofing nails. they have orange plastic rings around them ....

But always remember you will make more money doing deals than swinging a hammer.

Also he did a renovation back in 2008, revamped the appliances, plumbing, and wiring.As for the realtor, when I spoke to her this afternoon, she said she has been trying to sit down with him and hammer out numbers so she can officially list it, but he has been dodging her appointments.

And on the open house issue, the Real Estate Commission sends memos to all brokers, and then our brokers hammer into us not to solicit business at open houses.Now the chances you get caught soliciting business is relatively low...and yes many people do it.

So how did you take this house in the state it was in and get it through city permitting to a shovel-ready (or sledge-hammer ready) state?

Dodd Frank has nothing to do with spec lending or construction lending as its not regulated by that..the reason is banks have long memories and many got hammered in the down turn and have cut back on how much capital they will put in that space.I can only speak for myself..

You funding ability also has to fit the property, get in over your head and you'll go bust.Many construction types watch TV thinking they can do flips, what you don't really see is the groundwork in the valuation process, neighborhood analysis, financing alternatives which all comes before picking up a hammer. 

Also, hammer the heck out of social media to get interest.

As the saying goes, if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. 

Florida got hammered in the last downturn from what I gather.