However, if you identify the problem and make sure you're not repeating it you may find that a 3k loss in the grand scheme of things is a fairly cheap education.I think the best thing to do might be to dump as much information into the post as you can.

It's hard work, its full of crap you don't want to do, and it's not a get rich quick scheme.

I have been doing a ton of research (articles, podcast, biggerpockets etc.) and I understand this is not an easy, get rich quick scheme.

real estate scams are very common and have be going on for years Straw buyers, crooked appraisers , ponzi schemes you name it it has been done Rule of thumb if something sounds too good it usually is Be on your guard investigate ,check references etc  Whenever there is large sums of money involved there is a scam to separate people from their money

Also, if the property is in a historic district or register, that could significantly limit your options on (typically) exterior upgrade/design to things like the windows, trim replacement, paint color & scheme, etc.

Any grey-based colour choices - even richer ones - externally should work.

Stay with a neutral paint scheme that you'll use in all of your properties.

One other thing I thought was interesting.. she also said that transactional deals if they see two deeds in one day IE transactional  they deem those as some sort of scheme as well.. the idea she said is that someone is still selling a property they don't own to get the one buyer in place before it closes she said the fact that they come into title for a few hours just proves the scheme.

. $1400 is a drop in the bucket in the grand scheme.

@David Dachtera when I said "they don't want to", I was talking about the ones that think real estate is a get rich quick scheme.