The ethically sound thing to do isn't to steel yourself against conflicts of interest and use your good intentions to resist temptation, but to avoid conflicts in the first place.

"Nonetheless, Minnesota is weathering the recent global slowdown and slide in commodity prices reasonably well, a reflection of its large and diverse economic base.

Agents will show you homes it doesn't cost you a dime but be prepared to get a lot of resistance from most agents if they feel you are wasting their time.  

The Finish which most cheap LVT's don't have a a scratch resistant layer using Aluminum Oxide or Ceramic. 

The spring , and fall we have some of the nicest weather any where in the USA.  

If you want to be able to weather downturns and set backs you need to have cash flow.

Trust is going to be huge in this relationship. you won't even have much time to check the invoices for every job to make sure you're not overpaying, so you really want someone who will appreciate the steady work and not take advantage of your distance.4) Resist the temptation to get awesome returns by investing in sketchy neighborhoods.

Your only location requirements/desires are as follows: Must have warm weather 9+/mo out of the yearMust have good - strong job market (UI Developer/Nurse)Must have relatively low cost of living (unlike the Bay Area)Should have healthy real estate market (rentals and flips)Here are your long-term objectives/goals: Purchase at least 10 acres of land to build a small house and start a small permaculture farm Become financially independent in 10 yearsEstablish the financial foundations for generational wealthGiven this financial standing, these location requirements/desires and these long-term objectives/goals, and a year to plan/move: Where do you move to and why?

I believe the current fix is to crimp on pigtails to all ends and replace the old switches and outlets... varies but think it is running $2500 to $5500 per house to correct... aluminum vibrates when it gets a little loose causing resistance and then heat.. hence the problem.lots of homes have black pipe or steel pipe water lines used a lot in older homes and it is OK but it rusts inside and then as the corrosion continues the pipe gets weak at the joints mostly and often can fill up  and restrict water flowall this being said I have seen extension cords run behind finished walls,  I have heard people removing 40amp breakers and replacing with 50amp breakers because the 40amp keeps tripping.  

I can agree with some of what your saying about CA.I don't believe at 200k and close to Apple job site is anywhere near a bubble... up here in Orygone we get a huge influx of CA folks actually the number one in migration state in the country ... form CA... and its for the basic same reasons.. housing 1/2 to 1/4 of prime bay area. high tech jobs and lifestyle .what you will find and we find it in Orygone is people then go back to CA because they can't stand the weather.. here its rain and a lot of gloomy gus days.