No one is immune to general inflation.

Jonathon  I always chuckle when I see folks on BP talk about how rentals are immune from a economic downturn.. granted rents are still killer but they simply do not always go up.. and they CAN AND DO go down.

What opportunities do you know of that are immune to macroeconomic risks?

I would definitely use the higher estimate to negotiate with, as well, but if it comes down to you having to cover some or all of the cost, then at least you should have 2-3 estimates to determine how economically and proficiently it can be done.Foundation issues can be very scary, and I have had a handful of buyers walk away from a deal because of it; but I've had more continue on because they know it is a crap shoot trying to find any property that is immune from this issue in Houston.

You know maybe it hasn't been long enough for me to be immune, but I just can't help but be shocked how people will live.

The animals need to be current on their vaccinations and they also need to get blood work done to prove that they have built up immunity to rabies.

Personally securities whether it be REIT , BONDS , STOCKS, etc are really overvalued due to too many dollars chasing the same investments and real estate is not immune to this but has some nuances that make it some what better for me personally (and so many others here). 

I thought it usefulr to post this topic as there are many newbies that get so excited to do a deal they may think that just because someone responds to the request through BP for hard money that they are immune from predatory lenders.

as well as having ample reserves ... folks are kidding their selves if they think rentals are immune to crash's..

First, the sheriff can tell you whatever he feels like telling you but the fact is a lawful eviction requires the personal property of the tenant to be removed from the premises (just setting things outside of the building but locking the only gate that allows access does not follow the law and you should probably know the laws before getting to this point, the sheriff can say whatever he wants and he is immune, not you.