What people are arguing over, and will continue to argue over, is how that GDP pie will be divided.This is a great point but I feel he is missing the permanent structural changes in the economy due to automation and increased globalization which are permanently benefiting the capital owning class at the expense of the economy as a whole.

This is about what you would (or should) expect to make on your own flip.You can structure the deal as an option to buy the house upon completion for a certain amount as calculated above.

The other big risk with any investment right now in the AV is that the market is fairly high right now and historically this area gets absolutely hammered when a recession comes ... it always comes back, so if you are a long term investor it won't matter as much, but something to be aware of and carefully structure to ensure that you can hold through a downturn to make it to the long term.

Anybody have any suggestions on how to structure a future contract so I don't end up in that trap again? 

Home warranties often cover very specific items/components (HVAC, hot water heater, etc), not structural, built-in systems (wiring/plumbing/ductwork) or aesthetic items. 

So, I guess what I should be asking at this point is how to structure a deal with a realtor where I am able to search on my own for homes, so they don't need to waste their time, and once I find a property have them submit offers for me. 

We do pay Elite on the back end, but they have ALL of the skin in the game.As the owner, my role is to recruit agents, train them, provide structure and accountability, identify the obstacles that slow them down, demolish those obstacles and then to get the heck out of the way.I absolutely love this business and love even more helping agents to make an unreasonably high income.  

Fyi- Looked at this today. watch for severe sloping in floors which is structural if you look carefully in basement there are notched supports, big no-no, and foundational deterioration by basement stairs on W side of property.

There are several ways to structure the financing with an owner.

While the same lending alternatives are available since the economic recovery gained traction in 2012 – Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, conduit lenders, banks and thrifts, and life insurance companies – each lender offers distinct advantages/disadvantages as it relates to loan structures, interest rates, closing costs, servicing, and their responses to the whims of the market.