Make sure you understand mechanical systems, roof structures, how to check a main line for lead, and other basic walk through techniques to be able to delineate whether you are getting a house with solid bones, or lipstick on a pig.

Unrecorded Mechanics Liens are not notified, because they don't know that it exists, no notice, no wiping out.3. 

I'll be so glad when all the mechanicals are done. 

I'm doing some remodeling on one of my units and trying to follow advice from some of the articles and posts on BP regarding working with contractors - most everything seems pretty straightforward, but I'm trying to figure out the release of lien (mechanic's lien) now.Anyone have any recommendations on where to find a form/what it should contain.

PERHAPS because the primary goal was this "discounted vacation," and not enough emphasis on the numbers.Not discouraging that by any means, but just be sure to know what your goals are when you buy it, and the appropriate due diligence and understanding variability in the numbers to know if it's a "pet project" for your vacation, or a money-making investment that stands on it's own (or somewhere in between..)

Not to say you can't make money in them as an investment, just that the emphasis has to be on maximizing cash flow.I had heard about the 1% rule before being interested in real estate investment. 

Sellers do not want to do a mechanic's lien waiver, but instead want to put language around indemnifying me if any contractors claim that they haven't been paid after closing.

They ended up filing mechanical Liens against him which has me as the "Grantor" since the work was done at my property.

My degree is in English with a Writing Emphasis, and I currently work as a writing tutor.

Tip for you who are ever on a roof placing conduit - a cinder block, held in place by spray foam and white goo, makes a great solid mounting point for mechanicals without requiring a roof penetration.