Protecting one's interest in a transaction of this size is commonplace---elements/clauses like non-circumvention and non-competition are par for the course...The broker is attempting to protect himself from you/your buyer going direct to the seller and cutting them out of the deal---you should give consideration to protecting your interests and your buyer exclusivity as well.Regards,Scott Miller

His stance is that until we have a substantial "cushion" in the bank, we shouldn't even attempt it.

Refuse to classify it as a failure, follow you're heart, catch your breath and come up swinging.Key ingredients to success are free.Hard workBelieve in yourselfpreparationfocus on key issuesbe decisiveplan and organizetake immediate action to solve the problemcounter negative thoughts with positive onesout work, out think, out tough the competition.visualize successshare concerns with wifecount your blessingsexercise your mind, body and spiritfeed your mind, body and spiritseek advice from outstanding peopleconsult skilled advisorsshare concerns with a close frienduse mental toughnessread about successful peoplenetwork with successful peoplehave strong faithpray....excerpt from one of the books I'm just about finished reading.

In your opinion, does one attempt to begin as a sole-proprietor, so to speak, until enough equity and assets are built to then transfer and operate under an LLC?

If you are interested in real estate, and this is your first attempt, why not try a house at a time?

Upon looking over a copy, appraiser gave NO credit for all of the work that had been done and I had no luck getting it adjusted/amended.Long story short, I still made $$$ on the property, but will attempt to be at all appraisals on my flips to try and keep this from happening again!

Then enter the place and take pictures to prove that there was a reason to believe that they had vacated the building.Given the fact you served him with a 3 day letter already will show the court that you had reason to assume he was leaving and had already left.Gather his **** up and store it somewhere for a month and then toss it out if they don't make attempts to pick it up.

There is an Android/iPhone app called MagicPlan that attempts to use the camera+gyroscope in your phone to come up with floor plans for rooms.

I don't want my tenants to attempt to fix anything because I don't trust their quality of work will meet my expectations.

Article 25 defines a real estate broker as an individual or an entity, who with intent to collect or receive a fee, compensation, or valuable consideration, sells or offers for sale, buys or offers to buy, provides or offers to provide market analyses, lists or offers or attempts to list, or negotiates the purchase or sale or exchange or mortgage of real estate, or negotiates for the construction of a building on real estate; who leases or offers or rents or offers for rent real estate or the improvements on the real estate for others, as a whole or partial vocation; who engages in property management as a whole or partial vocation; who sells or offers for sale, buys or offers to buy, leases or offers to lease, or negotiates the purchase or sale or exchange of a business, business opportunity, or the goodwill of an existing business for others; or who, as owner or otherwise, engages in the sale of real estate as a principal vocation."