Is there a recent engineering study that talks about reserves.

The lending is based on plans and specifications not what sits there today.If you are considering the hard and soft sides, soft is not underwriting or compensating factors in any type of loan, soft refers to money used for expenses or services required, appraisal work, engineering, utility expenses, surveying, attorney fees, brokerage expenses, etc.

Then prices drop as the only buyers are investors and tenants/LL's generally don't care about the property too much.As to the things to consider when purchasing a condo: I always ask % investors, condo units in arrears on fee's (hint about upcoming distress sales), check HUD online and see if the development is approved and when the approval is up for renewal, check the financials/reserves thoroughly - there is usually a fairly recent engineer report giving live-spans and replacement costs of bigger items, I also ask if they expect any special assessments coming down the pike.I think that about covers it.

Before becoming a agent I was a Project Engineer for a commercial general contractor.

Unfortunately, the City and Army Corp of Engineers had a disagreement over whether or not a gate should be put in a fence, it ended up pushing the project out another full year.

Then architectural, engineering, broker fees, attorney, and amount paid for the land to get a potential profit.Based on ones I have done I think the seller is not even in the same planet as what a developer would pay.

I feel he really wants to help everyone by sharing his trade secrets.Silver Brian Hoyt The kid's (almost) got a master's in engineering.

The bottom line is that the taxpayers are the ones that just got soaked on the foreclosure so the govt should be trying to get as much money back as possible to make us whole.Not trying to use our money for any social engineering program they think is best.

I'm an Engineer from upstate NY area, looking to invest a bit in some rehab re-sale, and rental holds.

There was an issue with the Army Corp of Engineers and the City Planning Dept.