This is the power of NETWORKING and THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX.

I swear, you can be as dumb as a box of rocks, but if you don’t give up, you’ll eventually succeed.

A drop down menu will appear, and at the bottom of that menu is Start a Discussion.Click that blue box, and you are taken to a new window, where you can choose a forum to post in, then write a headline and introduction post.

If there is someone that you're interested in getting a reference from who is not yet a member, just invite them to join the site using the INVITE link, which is located above the search box at the top of all pages. 2.

See comments on rent ready units above and consider the fact that at least in our area if power has been off for more than 90 days it requires an occupancy permit, unless these units are in good shape and systems have been well maintained or updated this will usually trigger a need for an electrical permit,  Pandoras box.  

That's all gone with the MLO Comp Rule, and the MLO must get paid the same regardless of loan terms (and mysteriously now everything is 30YF and no fancy "features" LOL), but that cuts both ways -- the MLO can't give himself a big fat bonus on just your loan, nor can the MLO take a pay cut just on your loan.

UNLESS yoru doing volume if your buying 1 or 2 houses in a year its going to be a challenge.Now I know when I build new construction I do maybe 35 homes a year personally.. we look at lot cost vertical cost of money to build  sales cost and what our profit we can make.. we factor that in before we bid on the lots you have to back into it based on end sales price.. you can't just build it and they will come and or it will appraise.. with the goal to make 10 to 15% on gross and if we do better than 15% that is a huge win for us.. but of course these are 400k and up.. so numbers are bigger but so is the risk. and we can't be like a high volume turn key company that does our yearly production in a month or two.I fund a few VEndors that do a turn key light ( is what I call it) they will let you pay cash for the house and they will charge you a fee to use their rehab crews and coordinate it all. then hand you off to PM.the reason PM is critical in turn key is you have a tenant base that is some what of a challenge to manage.. other wise none of these turn key guys would be in the business of PM unless they were going nuclear and growing it so big that it becomes a profit center in its own right.I hope some of this makes sense. its simply not a big mystery you have certain components that go into bringing a product to market and make it financeable.

I'd be curious to hear what everyone's experience or thoughts are on the various contractor services / bid programs offered by all the big box stores.

Here are some recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSet up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsRead Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingCheck out BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/If you wish to tag someone in the conversation on the forum, type @ followed by their name and then select the name of that person which should appear below the comments box.

Don't assume it'll always be the credit unions that come out on top, they switch back and forth depending on which depository institution needs to beef up their "assets" column in a given month or quarter.... next month it'll be the local banks that come out on top, and then in six months the big box banks, and a year from now the credit unions will be back on top, etc.If someone only has the energy to aggressively shop for half of their mortgages, the HELOC half will be the best bang for your buck hands down.