At the same time, outsiders pour into my home market and buy deals that locals pass on.

I can't imagine how many buy low value seconds and low value firsts that finally give up and say OH well there went 10k or 20k this is not worth fooling with anymore.this is a business that I personally believe is appropriate for those with a deep understanding  deep pockets and people should not prey on first time investors and talk them into how great this is.

This is like any profession, imagine if the companies feel like all the employees are making too much money and it is ok for them to work for few months for free.

I hear the things said after you pour a bunch of booze down their gullets.

@Frank Monteleone, I would probably offer to take over payments, get caught up on the taxes, and give them enough money to move out (I'm imagining a thousand bucks or so). 

With national coverage and assistance pouring in from the state and federal levels this may well be a turning point in a renaissance for our area that will ultimately be better for us in the end   In my opinion. 

In several years, I imagine I will ultimately have them refinished but I want a stop gap in the meantime.

It's not a bad way to get in contact with wholesalers, but I imagine you're going to have difficulty finding any truly great deals.

I believe Detroit has great opportunity for growth, both financially and economically, and is definitely a market that needs the imaginative, large scale attention of investors other than that of just Dan Gilbert. 

If you have ever cut a blocked waste pipe and watched sh*t literally pour over a brand new $200 Milwaukee sawzall, you'll understand why I'm considering some cheap rubbish from HF for those sort of jobs.If it's an expensive tool, then I'll rent, eg floor sanders, excavators, etc.