I use to keep up with most material costs and I'd do a walk through and estimate on the spot then double the material costs and that was close enough for light jobs.

In additon to roots, we had several "bellies" or low spots that would collect "stuff".

Once a guy approached me about my houses and I pulled out my ipad to show him what I had and we signed a contract on the spot...

In my experience, trying to buy short sales or at the courthouse can be a beating, especially in a competitive market.As with just about any business, the key is to find a way to connect directly with distressed home sellers where you aren't competing with every other investor or first time home buyer out there.There are a lot of ways to do this - post-it note canvasing, direct mail, TV advertising to zip codes ($25 - $50 per spot), targeted internet marketing, etc.

I didn't see (or at least didn't see right away) a spot onyour forum for commercial mortgages lending.

A very small place with a Jamaican/Tiki style and very laid back feel to it, maybe 10 tables and another 10 spots at the bar, with fusion cuisine of the world coming out of the kitchen made by my own hands.

Everyone else pays between $150 and $500, depending on how extensive it is, and that is refundable if contracted.The reason for the higher cost, aside from the spot on comments of others, is because I put my name on it.

I have a soft spot for the historical properties, but from a business standpoint, it may not be the most logical thing.

You can have crime zones and depressed areas with low median income scattered about without being in your sweet spot.

Check with your local kitchen/granite spots before you pull the trigger though.