I fund a ton of distressed assets as a lender and have for going on 4 decades.. so I see the HUDs.. its not my place to get involved at that level.. but its reality.. wholesale really has double commission if not more not less.

When you are looking at deals always ask if this will get further towards or further away from your end goal.That's my level 1 advice, get your mind right before money goes live into a deal

It really depends on your comfort level and what's going on in your life. 

Live in Lowell, buy two houses, save time, energy, money on your commute, and embrace the arts scene and cultureS-- plural emphasized.

The problem is state level politics has now shifted into what will likely be one party Democratic rule from here on out.

The lender Bay Equity is having issues at the underwriter level because they do not know how to accommodate for the income of the sister in their own country.

The actual margins are largely going to depend on the level of finish that your client intends to complete relative to comps - no need to put luxury finish in an area where the attention to detail may not be as well-appreciated and vice versa. 

The first level we are in the process of finishing and opening up a electric bike and kayak rental business out of, it is also 1850 sq ft on that level.

I'm the son of a retired CPA but not one myself, so my understanding of tax codes is only at a moderate theoretical level of why they are the way they are and how they work on a big scale, not the finite details to give true tax advice. 

Split level 1800 sf and need to refinish all the upstairs and tape / mud / finish the lower level.