I'm sure it's just a matter of time before it is national policy, no?

Vacant property policies are expensive.

his last year has been almost all shorts.i see it that these banks need to consider themselves in a position of ZERO, and any money they get back above and beyond that is recapturing lost money.

In this case (and most), diplomacy is probably the best policy.

I ask my insurance agent (again, I use Farmers because their Truck division offers a really first rate commercial landlord’s policy for a good price) and RE agent for referrals.

She wants it reduced to zero and abated for the whole time she has lived there, since Oct 1st 2007.

Generally a standard umbrella insurance policy can protect you from a large amount of liability ($500,000 to $1 million).

., the loan amount) to zero.

If the bank says they are not doing investing loans right now, I often ask them when does their board members meet to set new banking policy and make a note to call the bank back 1 week after the board meeting to see if the policy has changed.

I am very wary of any type of zero-down loans, so my plan would be to save up the necessary down payment and make one or two purchases a year, depending on the logistics.