Borrower suffer from what I refer to as “ostrich syndrome” – when life problems mount up they stick their head in the ground.

And you're right on-- there are many great option available to check references (Angie's List, Yelp, Google, going to local REI meetings, sites like BP, etc.).Although, I'd be tempted to chalk it up to a "rookie" mistake, I've certainly heard and read enough stories from experienced RE investors who also suffered loses.

Trying to work with this contractor will just add pain and suffering to your life.PS- if a contractor is "bitter" because you offered a penalty clause, DON'T believe him.

I got my start in the Green District with my first rehab, suffered through the housing bust in Roseburg.I am now investing out of Medford but deals are harder to find here from what I have seen.

Sorry your tenant kicked the bucket, but from the baby born today to the oldest person living, we're all in line behind him.Unless he's a family member or close family friend, you should not suffer financially for the tenant's death.I would file and eviction notice right away and then keep a running total of lost rent and other costs.Then there are additional actions you can take in the interim to ensure you come out okay.

In the event of a loss/lawsuit (say, for example your tenant's broke friend "trips" on the sidewalk and suffers emotional trauma that renders them unable to work for life), ALL money sources will be listed - your insurance company, the entity that owns the property, you personally, all other assets (LLC's, businesses, etc.) owned by you personally.

This house is a second home for us so we are lucky enough to not have to suffer through this as the bad weather heads our way.

When evaluating year over year unadjusted house prices, there has been a definite increase since the housing boom peak of 2017.Key Takeaways: First American’s most recent Real House Price Index reveals that consumer house-buying power suffered a decrease in December, due in part to post-election mortgage rate increases.Mortgage rates and home prices are increasing at a faster rate than the rate of income growth, a dynamic which has led to an overall decrease in housing affordability.The decrease in affordability for first-time home buyers is a first within the last two and a half years, but housing affordability has not dropped below rates from 2009."

Your tenants have already sufferred enough of a loss. 

There are too many good agents to have to suffer through having to teach a bad one what to do.