Buying the property can be a natural conclusion after helping the person in charge deal with a myriad of problems.Obviously, an ill-timed and poorly crafted letter ('I want to buy your house') or an syrupy, insincere condolence card will not buy you any favors.

I understand I can find deals through the MLS (which relates to point one since I can't use it unless I'm a broker), through Craigslist, Facebook Ads, Door Hangers, Bus Bench Advertising and naturally other investors.

No investment, no nothing, just get out there, meet an investor, and make his site and blog appear on google as number 1, and the leads will come in naturally....

Are there any alternatives or is it window unit or bust?

Alternatively, you could find other veneer products etc...up to you for cost.They may not last forever but if particle board was THAT terrible, IKEA would not be around.

I prefer keeping unpainted brick natural if possible, allows it to breathe, doesn't flake and doesn't require painting again and again.

As dictated by existing locations of the plumbing vent and drains, as well as electrical receptacles for range, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher/disposer, some things are going to go where they need to go.So here is one alternative from left to right.=============== LEFT WALLSINK 24" with cabinet - vent stack there, hot and cold supplies there.DISHWASHER 24" with counter top.RANGE 30" - range receptacle there, microwave receptacle up top.Cabinet 30" with counter top.1/2" boardRefrigerator 30"=============== RIGHT WALLThe only problem is there is no counter space on either sides of the sink.So here are some decisions I am trying to make.(1) Is having a dishwasher a necessity for a 1/1?

What are the most reasonable alternatives for someone with no credit history?

I was thinking of starting with a multi-family, since I don't currently own a house either (but my rent is also ridiculously low, so if there are better alternatives, I'm open to them).One thing I'm discouraged by is that I can't seem to apply the advice from the forums to the properties I've seen here in Boston.

Being in the area, I would think you might have a tougher time keeping good tenants over the long term if you are charging the same for your units vs a unit with natural gas heat.