However, the blood test was done after they had been living in this duplex for a few months and the building was definitely pre1975.My buddy, who has some rentals, told me a story that was almost identical, where he had to pay an attorney $9K to defend himself in a lawsuit for a kid found having lead in his blood in one of his buildings. 

I really try to focus more on getting the seller talking to me like their coffee buddy instead of grilling them about the house.

I spoke to a lender who is my buddy's co-worker and she said she would do a 5% down private money w/ 5.5% interest for me but she's not licensed in Texas.This is a tricky situation and for my first property, I'm learning a lot because of it.

Good luck buddy!

While we all lose a deal to someone's drinking buddy every now and then, it's 100 times easier to separate yourself from the competition.

Jump in buddy, having money for direct mail is great...but if you dont have it, you are going to have to work hard with some sweat marketing.

Will do buddy!

My buddy that does practice law in Nashville is flying over this week. 

This is where wealth is made and contant revenue stream is realized when done correctly.I have buddy of mine that has over 25 properties in Baltimore( I'm about 45 mins away...seems like another state sometimes...just a totally different part of Maryland...maybe because I'm closer to the nation's Capitol DC!).

I also think that getting a property with your buddy from college may be a bad idea due to mixing "business with friends" but that's all up to your own opinion.How are you intending to buy the property?