When you hear the facts you realize that the actual losses from that period were a couple of pennies on the dollar, and for most portfolios was less than one percent.

I know you can buy these lists for a pretty penny.

Before inspecting the property,  inspector noticed that someone had broken in and took some of the plumbing copper. 

In the end we end up with every single penny of our money back, and no cash out of pocket.

Get a job you are interested in related to the industry, construction for example, work hard, live frugally and save every penny.

Penny offers excellent advice- figure out what you can afford, get pre-approved, understand the details, then work to find a deal.

@Penny Clark is totally right, that was my first thought too, you never know what the future will bring.

Stuff would probably be pretty hard to paint around when you repaint as well -- something to think about.Why not a hardwood like Ash or Oak - stain dark and  put 2-3 coats of poly on the top -- Ash and Oak are both pretty affordable if you get the smaller base.  

We are not talking pennies, nickels and dimes here, this is big dollars and serious.  

Its a shame she got ripped off , but this is a example of penny wise and dollar foolish .