This particular one was NOT with LA building and safety (thank goodness) so it went much faster and smoother, hence getting in and out in just under 6 months instead of probably 9+.Link to property listing: https://www.zillow.com/homes/1219-Mountain-View-St-San-Fernando,-CA-91340_rb/20077492_zpid/ What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

In your experience, what are the must-haves for a rental reno, and more importantly, what should be left off the table?

Generally, I keep it to an hour radius from Hendersonville, which means I'll go to Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Mars Hill, Black Mountain, Brevard, etc for my vacation rental buyers@Stephen Gooding - Best of luck. 

If you want to take out a HELOC later to replace that cash that option is still on the table.

In other words, individuals would save their funds and then the funds would only be combined at the closing table when applied to the purchase.

Most of the new condos are 3 and 4 stories tall, giving excellent views of both the mountains and downtown.

In the end, I chose Realtor #2, got references from some of his other investor clients, and ended up buying my 1st deal through him - a property HE brought to the table, and has turned out to be one of my best duplexes.  

As they say in poker, if you're at a card table and you can't tell who the sucker is within the first 30 minutes, you're the sucker.

Looking for a great mountain view at a reasonable price. 

I have the property manager, realtor, contractor, and lender contacts in place while the passive business partner brings only money to table.