However, I completely understand the sensitivity around it, especially that it's a neighbor.The first thing to note is that some sellers are going to be insulted with a lower offer than they feel, no matter how much you dress it up.

He explained to door knock betweeen 5-7 and to not be too dressed up but dressed up enough that people take you seriously.

If you just went to airbnb or fancy hotels in the end you'd save a ton of money.Yet many wealthy people own vacation homes.

Off market 8 unit brick apartment building in Cleveland built in 1920, Manhattan Beach areaPurchase price - $145000Rehab costs - $30000 (cosmetic consisting of windows/paint/flooring/trim/carpentry)(6) 1-1 units under market, currently at $475/mo, raising to $550/mo after rehab (2) 2-1 units at $600/mo, raising to $625/mo after rehabElectrical, roof, foundation, water heaters, furnaces solidRent Roll $54600Property management 8% $4370Vacancy est 10% $5460Maintenance est 14% $7644Taxes $4200Insurance $1900Water $4000Trash/lawn/snow $1200NOI $25826, or 14.4% ROI at low end $269 NOI per door per monthThese are high ball estimates, the building is older, 1920, but it is solid, just needs a new dress for these solid bones.

That is just a nice way of saying, they sold you loan.Overall, if a company like Bank of America or Wells Fargo, has high overhead, rent for fancy building, employees, then they will need to pay more for doing same loan as internet company with low overhead.Easier to deal with?

At any given time there are half-a-dozen shows on television where good-looking, well-dressed investors make the process look fast, fun and profitable.

How are they dressed? 

It is of vital importance for you to build a solid team on the ground floor in the area you wish to invest and part of that team will be a quality contractor and project manager, plus designer if you are doing anything more fancy or higher end.

Someday I'll be able to afford a fancy system. lol

The same lending laws apply whether the loan is from your Aunt Mildred or a giant mega HML at a fancy address.