We have decided to go with the hardie board siding but due to the slow speed of getting the HELOC and also getting the porches fixed up before the siding is replaced, we are still about 2 months out from the work actually being done.  

When you pay professionals you pay for dependability, speed, quality, warranty, consistency, etc.  

CRE can take 18 months to get your first paycheck and about 2-3 years before you are up and running at full speed. 

Some lenders offer an advanced review program where they send your file through underwriting to speed up the process once you get in contract and to insure you are ready to go.  

This thread really picked up speed and I'm absolutely thrilled to have all of this advice coming in.Honestly, the number one reason I want to buy a property in college so bad is to gain experience.

However, I can hardly find any reviews on reliability of brands.If any of you have experience, good or bad, with Speed Queen, Maytag, LG or Whirlpool, please, let me know.Much appreciated

We literally had code enforcement on speed dial and they were one of the reasons we moved (school district was the main one, though).If I knew then what I know now, I never would have bought the house.

It takes a while for it to get up to speed, but then good luck stopping the train. :)  My own investing ideas are a mixture of low debt, quality duplex's, good neighborhood, high cash flow and 25% DP with conventional loans.  

Lots of people break the speed limit too.

But i want to speed up the process.