Has anyone ever taken these classes and gotten the designation?

LOLRE usually falls under the department of finance in business colleges.To get started in a formal education without heading toward a degree program that fits well with real estate, I suggest these areas of undergrad study.Economics 101 and 102Accounting 101 and 102, if you can take managerial accountingPersonal Finance, Money & BankingBusiness Finance 101 and 102 or similar levelsPrinciples of Real EstateBusiness Law and Legal ConceptsThese 10 classes or 30 hours would be a good foundation for RE.There are other courses that can be more specific, like construction management, municiple zoning and design as well as others.Depending on the benefits you might be looking at, you may look into an Associates Degree program at a local university in real estate or finance.IMO, good luck.... :)

I don't think it is a question or comparison, in dealing with So Cal homes, you need to go custom, it allows you the ability to design the kitchen to your specs, get custom stain, and the resale value of a custom kitchen over stock cabinets is so much better.

I want to keep some of the original characteristic of this house but at the same thing bring in some newer design into the property. 

Since my company borrows in one asset class, we generally use one (the best, theoretically) lender for that class up to their local loan concentration underwriting limits.

You have to be careful as cat urine is so strong and concentrated your cleaning job could turn into a gut job given long enough.

Honestly, the real estate books that I've read gave me the runaround, instead of concentrated on the actual art of real estate investing.

David- I sold all the homes in Richland Hills, Bedford etc to concentrate in other areas of TX.

Again, if it were me, I would find a local realtor preferably with a GRE designation behind his name and offer him/her the sale listings in exchange for what ever assistance they can give you.

Are there, sure, but you may be better served concentrating on some fruit that is a touch lower hanging that that.