There are lots of both out there, but given that contracting is generally a low-barrier-to-entry business, there tends to be more bad contractors than good contrators.That said, most of my contractors have been with me for many years, and not only would I trust them renovating my properties, I'd trust them babysitting my kids.

Everything else from attorneys, when in contract with real estate agent , bank vp, title company, or insurance agent is almost all e-mail.As you can see from this comment I tend to be thorough ( or like to ramble, which ever you prefer) but I feel It is important to be clear.

That's where I would start.Then ask everyone you know who does real estate in your area (hopefully there will be some response from local investors on this thread), try to get Home Depot to give you the names of some of their installers (they tend to make good handymen in my experience), visit your local REIA, stop by job sites as you're driving past and if the work looks good, get a card from the contractors, and as a last resort, start scouring Craigslist.You only need to find one great contractor.

Sold comps within a quarter mile no more than 6 months old are really a better reality check than an appraisal (especially a re-fi appraisal....those tend to go high).So if by comping the property you determine the property to be worth 160k, then at a minimum, do the following:160,000 x 70% = 112,000 - 10,000(or whatever your fee should be) = 102,000 = MAO (maximum allowable offer).

Yes, women do tend to be more creative minded.

If you have a billion dollars that you HAVE to spend, you tend to overpay.

Vacant land does tend to get higher rates and the lien amounts can be low since the land is unimproved.I did not have such good luck in Coconino this year.

The capital gains generally tends to be higher in more desirable areas, especially where land is limited.So as an investment, a low yielding piece of real estate dis not always completely irrational as an investment and personally, I am a strong believer that in todays market with so much information at our finger tips, prices and percentage returns and yields tend to be a good reflection of risk.Just my opinion base don my investment style.

I tend to make every deal an adventure.

I enjoy Driving my old Lincoln town car as much as any new car I have owned and I have owned new Mercedes, and Cadillac s. ( I know the town car is an old mans car, but as you get older you tend not to care what others think)