Refuse to sign anything that says it will be a second home unless you use 1/2 as a second home for some period of time.

Some are more efficient and some are just not as good.John Corey

People, we are about to enter into one of the greatest real estate purchasing periods this country has seen in a long time!

Likely it will not be worth the fee after the free period.

While even these "star" markets will be working their way through a period of price adjustments or a lengthier listing period at least their core fundamentals are sound.Those home owners who are unable to pay their upwards adjusted mortgage payments and who have not been able to re-negotiate their loan terms with their Note holders will assuredly become "tomorrow's renters".It's already started in many areas... rental availabilities are rapidly shrinking = a strong potential for investors willing to build SFRS for rental or for "sale" under Lease with Option to Purchase contracts, 2-4 unit multi-family and new apartment complexes.In Myrtle Beach and parts of Charleston (SC) developers of recently completed condos are now replacing unresponded to FOR SALE signs with "Lease with Option to Buy" signs and are now actually seeing evidence that strategy is WORKING.Savvy real estate investors are targeting "spec" builders with unsold inventory that has become a "money drain" in terms of interest carry and are buying SFRs for 10% - 20% below actual cost to complete.

I have long advocated informing the lender in all installment contracts, wraps and sub-2 transactions.As John mentioned, a properly given notice will keep them from saying they didn't know but more importantly, after a period of time and if a formal objection is not made or notice to accelrate the loan is not made, that may be construed as acceptance of the deal!

Does anyone know if rentals qualify for the energy efficiency tax deductions for commercial buildings?

In most areas, you'll need to evict them and then store their stuff for some period of time (or the court may store it for a fee).As for cleaning up the mess, I wouldn't get too carried away.

The market bieng the way it is, I'm also very interested in the most efficient ways of doing this besides bandit signs and other traditional ways I've read about.

Most all marketing is focused on repeating the message and measuring the results over an extended period rather than a 1 off ad.Good luck.Note you can use Craigslist and other methods to place free ads.