I've seen my family buy and install storms on countless properties only to have to have them removed for cleaning and for trim painting.

And I believe it is MikeOH who made the point that these more complicated methods make it psychologically easier for a person to rationalize a property that is a loser -- and as we've seen here and in countless other threads, that is one thing we don't need!

Why, banks want real skin in the game, real equity for a 75% LTV loan, to date, a soft second filled the gap allowing a borrower to get in under the rules, but was more likely to walk away.

Since then, I've read several books on REI, been to several auctions at the local courthouse, read countless web articles, been to a REIA meeting, joined several meetups and am currently in the midst of an on-line class being taught by Josh Fuhrer - great class, highly recommend for any of the other newbies out there (it lead me to this site).

However,some county public record is more tedious to get (have to call and request, or you have to search countless different websites) in this sense I think the license is worth it..

From the countless blogs and forum posts I've read on BiggerPockets it seems as though a lot of investors choose to stick with neighborhoods/municipalities they currently live in, or are already familiar with (it cuts out the step of learning a whole new market).

I have listened to countless podcasts and YouTube videos.

Your blog was what led me to BP originally and I've read through countless posts there.

I have done countless deals but only used that particular contract when dealing with agents and bank deals.

For well over a decade I have used countless agents to represent me as a buyer in NYC, there is NOT one agent who would do the due diligence for me or point out things like you suggested such as code violation or issues with the title.