I'd just like a sanity check on why this property isn't worth more than $410K - my agent says the foreign investors there aren't looking for cash flow, just a place to park their money since their own government is so unstable, so they don't purchase with cash flow in mind. 

We have a strong economy based on services to deal with a growing government (consultants, lobbyists, lawyers, etc).

I government guaranteed loan at a time...except under rare circumstances which your plan will not qualify for.

Most of those items can be found without the use of a thermal camera though if the inspector is diligent enough.Thermal cameras are great tools, and it is likely that the government will start requiring energy audits as part of selling a house (as they have done in Austin, TX).

Just to throw a different perspective out there, I just read this article on MSNBC:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43682716/ns/business-stocks_and_economy/WASHINGTON — Hiring slowed to a near-standstill last month, the government said Friday, as employers added the fewest jobs in nine months.

Personally I don't like to give the government a no interest loan.

Just wait until a big bank or fannie or freddie goes back to the government and says whoops we need another $5B-10B.

Unfortunately our government "protects" people from investing in these deals and instead pushes everyone to the sanitized products that lower the big firm's cost of capital at the expense of helping Joe Six Pack accumulate wealth.I could go on and on...but I don't want to bore you to death ;-)

Maybe Gold will never go down to where is was a few years ago but its like anything else, its controlled by the government.

It seems like everyone is waiting to see what will happen because our current provincial government keeps threatening to change taxing laws but isn't clear what those will be.