Your journey in real east ate sounds perfect.

I got spooked because I just took out a HELOC and the banks in-house appraiser followed the last sale price and PVA to a tee, right at 215k.

Ate something light.

The "corporate axe" still fell and knocked them off their professional tracks, and/or Wall Street ate their investments ("savings"), and/or domestic issues disrupted their lives, ...Rather than judge, I'd be far more likely to suggest to people that where ever they are and however they got there, here's what they need to do to start getting back on their feet and getting moving again, only toward a better end goal.My $0.02...

Stayed at the Galt House Hotel again, ate at one of the best restaurants ever again too- Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse. 

We just closed on our 1st SFD which ate up most of our cash reserves.

And Yes, that property is at E. 143rd and Lakeshore and it also happens to be across the street from the wastewater treatment plant.  

@Julie HassettHere was my experience with the last property I bought with a wholesaler in Baltimore City: He "sold" the contract auction style - I was the highest bidder and the wholesaler sent me several documents, including a copy of the contract between him and the owner (plus an addendum lowering the price because my offer would have ate into the wholesaler's $3K profit). 

For the lurkers that might be curious and/or want context about why appraisal fees are charged upfront: So my firm did actually cover the entirety of the appraisal fee upfront for a while, to be reimbursed at closing, and we ate the cost if it didn't close for any reason.

The condo fees were rising so rapidly and the rental value of the unit was so low that the condo fees ate up a third of the rent.