I’m still crossing my fingers and hoping that nothing crazy comes at me that I can’t handle.

Fingers crossed the sprinkler company comes out tomorrow to help me get it back online so our staff can go off firewatch.I think I'm (or maybe I'm not) a relative enigma to some in this field as I had no prior experience in this field other than seeking out others in this business and learning a lot from my wife who's worked at the ground level in the industry. 

If I am screwed, I am screwed but I am not trying to point the finger at parties if they aren't the ones responsible. 

Cross fingers!

I've been living in the heart of Williamsburg for the last 10 years and although I haven't been an active investor in the area I definitely feel like I have my finger on the pulse of certain things around here.

The pros that typically buy my deals know how to manage a deal-I never risk some newbie screwing up a deal I sold them and pointing the finger at me.It is the fix & flip investor's job to analyze the risk & reward of the investment they're about to make.  

I make sure I have a commitment from the seller and an understanding before I list anything for sale.I tell the seller upfront in Georgia as a broker I can lien a commercial property and stop a sale for money I am owed.If they are out to something underhanded I will learn it then before I lift a finger marketing the property.If not then we have an understanding of what will happen.I don't take listings where seller do it out of necessity but believe the broker has no value.People need to stop playing games and conduct business.I don't have time for flaky buyers and sellers.

See link:http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2323289/vesse... that's actually very helpful. after posting the question last night, i did a quick test in my bathroom where i have the grid drain. water was flowing and i plugged the vent hole with my finger (as well as i could) and the water started to fill up. let it go and it started draining like a champ again. so, i suspect sinks with no overflow (cheaper sinks) are the problem and the 19 holes in the grid drains are not enough. 

I've experienced a no-show housekeeper and the guest arrived to an unclean house - although I was out of town, fortunately, I had friends in the business I could rely on to run over and clean for me - but this is not a good situation.

I know it is going to be hard to do after 5 years of being under the thumps of a brokerage.Take a look at your commission structure - what do you get after selling another agent's listing - that sold for $100,000 - the standard is at 6%, of that 50/50 for the brokerage and of that you may get 25% or $1,500.Now represent yourself - how much would you make if you controlled a property for $50,000 and sold it for $60,000 (maybe to your investor's list, by private treaty or public auction) you'd walk away from the deal with $10,000 - yep that's lots better than $1,500.Arpan Patel is correct, you've got all those listing on the MLS at your finger tips - new listings - ready to expire listings, expired listings, REO listings - commercial listings - land - lots and even non-conforming properties and businesses with real estate.All you need to do now is learn how to make offers (oh, forget abut your Realtor contract) you don't need 30 pages anymore - now that you are representing yourself!