., if you know the market, the culture, the laws, etc. 

In the end you'll have a repositioned building with a new culture.

But, the culture used to be, anyway, such that you could just go ask what is required, let someone know you're having trouble with a contractor and ask for advice. 

Jay points out later he thinks this is more of a regional/cultural issue and maybe that's the fact - I dunno - but it still seems to me most people do not want to up and leave on a monthly basis and will most always stay at least a year.

I'm still not great at those things, I am after all Irish and those genes are a force to be reckoned with, but life is better with more balance in it for me now.As to my why in the morning, I get up asking myself what is my main goal or project to accomplish today. 

Anywhere outside of the obvious high demand areas like SF Bay Area and LA, you really need to understand the employment situation, the culture, potential problems (like freeways that are possibly targeted to bypass towns that may no longer be good investments), etc.Unless you can afford to make a profit in the major job areas, then you really need to know/do your homework on the potential to make money in a way or to a different market than you're used to. 

Oh, just the arrogance of it gets my Irish up. 

Hey yal, I'm a newbie investor looking to invest in Michigan and I am looking for referrals for a Real Estate lawyer who is in tune with the REI culture.

I also feel it is important to add that all of these communities have created grassroots organizations to "manage gentrification" in order to prevent the cultural histories from being erased.

I did not live in the great depression but my parents did and grand parents. and boy my Grandfather would not pay interest.. so some mid eastern cultures were interest is a sin..