It outlaws: Refusal to sell or rent a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin.Discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin in the terms, conditions or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling.Advertising the sale or rental of a dwelling indicating preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.Coercing, threatening, intimidating, or interfering with a person's enjoyment or exercise of housing rights based on discriminatory reasons or retaliating against a person or organization that aids or encourages the exercise or enjoyment of fair housing rights.

My background is in finance and financial services, so I'd love to sit down and talk about financial institutions, account or business set-ups, common questions related to taxes, organization, creating systems or spreadsheets that will help you analyze deals or your own systems, and/or budgeting in return for some good, quality experience!

You can find a lot of great information from various government agencies (Census, HUD) and industry organizations (Board of Realtors) to help draw a decent conclusion as to where a specific market is today and which way it is heading.

For example if they felt the owner ignored their maintenance requests, you may be able to start off on a better foot with them by assuring them you will take their requests seriously.I'd also consider that you may not want a vacant unit in the middle of winter, so if it were me, I'd probably spend the first few weeks getting a sense for these tenants, their issues, etc. and determine if you think they're going to bad-mouth the property/you to others.I guess as long as they seem like relatively reasonable people (i.e. not hostile), if you still want them to move I'd probably defer to giving them 90 days notice and basically tell them you're giving them more notice than you need to because you want to make sure they have enough time to move.But also tell them based on how much you paid for the property you absolutely need to raise the rent - it's not a question of your being a nice/mean guy, it's a question of making the #s work so you can afford the mortgage payment.I'd also consider searching out some community organizations and contact info for the Department of Elderly Affairs and anyone else who might assist older people in finding new living arrangements, and include that as a second page to the rent increase notice.A lot of questions like this depend on the specifics of the people involved, whether you can build a rapport, understand and possibly address their concerns, whether you think they're acting in good faith, etc.So it's hard to really give an exact answer but those are some thoughts.

Look for groups, clubs, organizations to join.

Anthony Arnt I know I'm probably overly suspicious but when it's: their CMA, they say it only needs cosmetic updates, and their post-rehab rent estimate is $1500 it's putting a ton of faith in the organization that has a vested interest in selling the property.

I have heard of firms who will organize small investment groups to sponsor multi-million dollar real estate acquisitions.  

I have heard of firms who will organize small investment groups to sponsor multi-million dollar real estate acquisitions.

There are tons of duplexes in our area so that would be my strategy.It think my strategy will be to develop my brand and get super organized on the operational end, i.e. handyman lined up, rental agreement templates, eviction plan, insurance broker lined up etc.  

(study the art of word pictures - many years ago I worked for the Dale Carnegie organization - they talked about the value of word pictures - how to put your prospect in that picture - showing him using and enjoying and benefiting from your proposal)  Try it.I like to show sellers that even if they are not getting the up-front cash they expect, the owner financed mortgage and payments they are receiving don’t have to be passive – once the seller has trust in your seller financing proposal - reach your goals is possible - (ALWAYS PUT IT IN WRITING -don’t expect a verbal yes – melt everything down to writing and knowledge of answering seller’s objections – this is a crucial moment in your negotiations. – Take your time.