@Karen Margrave I'm trying to understand what the benefit is to cut back the roof other than aesthetically alteration and removal of shed.

They are more craftsmen (especially in Eureka) than your big city throw it together folks, this also translates into longer rehabs and higher $$$ per sq ft. 4.

Develop your specific criteria and then search for deals that fit within it.Do not alter your criteria to try and force deals that's how you get into trouble.Every time is a good time to buy it's just a numbers game and deals are hard to find right now.

@Ray Li, the concepts may be similar, but the experience you gain on a small (under 20 units) MF will not translate well to a larger (over 150 units) one.Having done both, I can tell you the economies of scale come into play around the 75 unit mark (in middle markets).PM me if you want some examples with actual numbers on a 101 unit and a 284 unit property.

I'm looking to buy my first property in a couple of months but am also considering a change of jobs.What are the guidelines on job changes and how they will alter my approval odds?

The only disadvantage I'm aware of is that they are a bit more difficult if the owner wants to alter the home, add-on or whatnot down the line. 

That would translate into about $100,000-$120,000 depends on the down payment, interest rate and tax level, etc.

A friend of mine is a (now retired) master home inspector, and he was instrumental in helping me make good decisions about acquiring distressed properties when I started out.Pros: The structural/mechanical knowledge a home inspector has is very valuable, and could translate well in a GC role when doing rehabs.

But that hasn't translated into significant appreciation of house prices.  

The translation is that they don't have any money with which to lend.