@Lucia Rushton yes, because of "the great recession", as ridiculous as that sounds.

I'm pretty new to BP as well :)  Keep in mind that some Big White properties can have ridiculous strata fees for a two bedroom condo ($700+/mo).

But it was damn risky and the potential returns ridiculous.

But I suspect the quote from the surveyor you received is not far off the mark; it's ridiculous how much vendor prices have gone up in the past year or two. 

My friend's family is poor but I'm planning on helping him fix that with our business ;)We live in the Daytona Beach area in Florida which as many people know is where the NASCAR Daytona 500 is held along with Bike Week so the housing market is ridiculous here (in a good way)We're thinking since we are both going to stay with our parents well into our 20's we should make our first investment on a duplex so we'll have a great financial boost from 2 units funding us.I just want some opinions from experienced investors on how they feel about this plan.

@Brian TranAppraisers value based off size (sq ft, beds, baths, garage y/n) and also condition.So if you have a 3 bed 2 bath in “C4” condition then he will compare your 3/2 to other 3/2’s in C4 condition.Condition ratings are ridiculously subjective in my experience.

If you're looking in Central Ohio, most of the listings on the MLS are for over priced garbage that appeal to those in CA, or other ridiculously priced markets.  

This is getting ridiculous that everyone is being held hostage by these standards that don't take into account how it affects everyone involved.

The sellers are using the newly remodeled interior to justify ridiculously high asking prices compared to comps in the neighborhoods.

There is so much that goes into rehabbing a property that these ridiculous tv shows don't tell you at all.