We are electrical contractors so there is little difference, but there are some areas I can give examples:Homeowners want a Square D QO panel which is rated the absolute best for safety (and has been for years), rentals want Homeline or low end equivalent.Fixtures can make a huge differece - $4.97 Home Depot special for rentals, selection process for Homeowners (HOs) to pick the perfect fixture as per their individual tastes.HOs may want Decora style switches or receptacles (sometimes in screwless plates or specialty colors), REIs want economical, standard in white or tan (stock).REIs often have very little hand-holding.

I recommend reading 2 negotiation books, 2 marketing books, 2 selfhelp/success books, 2 flipping books, and a handful of the Home Depot Do-It-Yourself manuals to get familiar with how a home is built and repairs are done.Heres a lot of good Real Estate Related Books.

I do not have enough cash on hand to buy free and clear and I am very concerned about the finance world.Plus, as you indicate, the 'deals' just are not quite right.

if you absolutely want to find a potential seller (or sellers) and learn more about the area your trying to buy in - here are a few tricks.what would you rather have - a list of 700 names on an excel spreadsheet from the local tax base - or a list of 40 names of real sellers that you crafted yourself.a few tips -- pinpoint the area you want to purchase in.drive around that area and write down every rental property that has a hand scrawled for rent sign.

It's hard for them to lie about the monthly rent on a SFH (although some do).The rental business is a hands-on people business, not an internet business.Good Luck,Mike

If he was CEO during this period, I think he should be forced to resign in disgrace and pay back whatever salary he received, along with all the politicians in Washington who had a hand in this mess.

I have a great understanding of the concepts, but I have little hands on experience.

We need serious debate over this issue, before we hand over 700 billion dollars of our money.This reminds me of the Patriot Act.

I'd really love to just wash my hands of it all.

Putting these assets in the hands of greedy and inept bureaucrats will only cripple and place a boa's stranglehold on moving product to market.