If I believe they have taken steps to improve their situation, and I am comfortable they will continue to do so, I will often request something to mitigate my risk and move forward anyway. 

We will also provide an Energy Compliance Certificate (Res Check), structural calculations that support lateral bracing design, structural design criteria form and special inspections forms (for designelements within our scope of work) required by the city, underpinning drawings and design for adjacent buildings, and structural engineer’s calculations for snowdrift loads that will be anticipated on the adjacent 2 story houses.Handling of Permitting:The architect shall be responsible for the handling of zoning and building permit application submissions.

Put your effort and energy into building your business.

I will be improving my picture soon but didn't want to keep using not having one as an excuse.

So I don't think his main plan was to force appreciation for 3-7 years, then sell after the NOI was maximized.Is it possible that super expensive real estate like the kind Trump might buy does appreciate that much just by the market without forcing any improvements in NOI?

i'm looking for the forum's advice on the most efficient/effective way of weeding out properties. i'll be living in the property for at least a year. while i live there, i'll be living in it (so property can't be a complete rehab), fixing or improving the property, and then either flipping or renting out the property. i've looked at about 18 properties the past 3 weekends (i just started 3 weeks ago). the 18 properties were chosen based on 2 broad criteria: 1) based on pictures, description, and google street view, choose properties close to the metra (in illinois), in a location with a great high school (>=8 score), and in nice(r) neighborhood.2) look at zillow for an idea on property values in the neighborhood so that i'm not buying one of the most expensive houses in the neighborhood. if i feel the house i'm looking at is somewhat undervalued because it needs work and there's some room for me to flip, then house passes.this criteria has helped me weed out 100's of properties, but takes me a bit of time.i'm curious, is this a good start or are there other ways that the full time/professional investors use?

Are you looking for someone to do the most cost-efficient work to make it a rental, or higher-end work for a primary residence?

Can it be done without their service, is it an efficient and effective method to collect data "real time" in one place with enough value to warrant the monthly fee?

How can I improve without criticism?

Jeff Phillips comes down to risk.If you take a HELOC and something we’re to happen and you could not pay then you lose your primary residenceIf you get a regular loan and you cannot pay your not paying on that 2nd home and they take that but not your primary residenceCheck with an accountant as well as I believe with the new tax law you cannot deduct a heloc if it is not used to improve your primary residence