I finally verified my email and made my first post.

She said he doesnt need to rent anymore and she needed it for final expenses.

Just to put this in context for folks not from the Bay Area that might be reading this, here's what we face in the Bay Area:- REO "specialist" realtors nailing access panels shut, and telling buyers that their inspector can't go in there until after inspection contingency is removed.- Sellers hiding that the 4th bedroom in a 1923 home has no foundation at all.- Sellers failing to disclose clearly visible earthquake damage that has been in place since 1989, but that a Common Joe might not notice, so they are only going accept offers with no inspection contingency, even if it's an offer for $30k less than the other offer with a 6 day inspection contingency.- REO "specialist" realtors opening pre-escrow with multiple title companies, looking at the prelims, and using whichever title company screwed up and didn't notice the clouded title.

Finally, understanding market cycles is also crucial to your success.

Final numbers:Purchase: $140kOur original ARV: $250kOur original rehab budget: $48,000Final rehab budget: $52,000Carrying costs/overhead: $26,000List price: $289,900Offer: over asking.

@Jimmy Chou nailed it pretty well. 

Hello final got around to updating and making my profile on BP.

I have been a student of Real Estate for many years learning, watching and reading before I finally joined the action.

Hi BPers,On & off lurker here that's finally taking the plunge into property and seeking some advice.My wife and I are looking for a Financial Planner to help get us going (overall wealth plan).

Luckily BP was able to stop things on their end before they got out of control.... but my blog had to be shut down and any of my online accounts deleted.Reporting posts with my information and emails to their support staff went unanswered and my information was online for days before I finally got it down.