I can't speak to CA laws and regulations, but in general, the banks will define the protocol for submitting short sale packages.

I'm new to the machine side of the laundry business and trying to gain a better understanding of cost associated with providing machines in a multi-housing environment, ie: apartments.

But when it comes to helping me out with a non-paying tenant, then they've got a million and one excuses why that has to be done with a sherriff's office and its not under their jurisdiction, and on and on and on.How does it make any sense that a village gets to regulate the landlord rules in the town but the evictions have to be at the county level?

Or, more likely, driving will be something you do in a contained environment like a race track.Already car purchases rates are declining.

So I need some honest advice - is it foolhardy to think that I can flip houses part-time right now in the current Minneapolis real estate environment?

I know there are areas where the local authorities set regulations on property owners to discourage boarding houses and vacation rentals.

I'm guessing they only regulate consumer loans so it won't affect the type of loans discussed here.

Some linkshttp://www.shearman.com/JOBS-Act-SEC-Proposes-Rules-Allowing-General-Solicitation-and-Advertising-in-Private-Placements-Under-Rule-506-of-Regulation-D-and-Rule-144A-09-05-2012/http://www.compliancebuilding.com/2013/01/15/crowdfunding-and-the-ban-on-general-solicitation/

I know that's a simplistic view of escrow, but in essence that's what it is.As Bill stated it is simply a controlled environment for the actual deal to go down.Andrew

Real estate "cycles" have less influence on properties in well established and stable environments.