:WOW< HVAC in certain areas make six figures plus  maybe just relocate to one of those areas and then save to invest.....California is one of those California sounds nice for the weather, but a 100k career doesn't give me the life I have here in KC at my current pay. :) Plus I have family and my REI here so not really looking to change locations.

If the tenants are fantastic and make life easy we forgo the marginal increases and keep the rent the same, if a tenant is a pain in the butt but still pays every month we do marginal increases each year. 

Wow thanks for your real-life example!

Chances are it's just gathering dust on their shelves and they'll be happy to do so, and you will have saved a ton of money.As with most lessons in life, I learned this one the hard way, so I would urge you to consider leaving the credit cards at home and not get caught up in the sales pitches and wait at least 24 hours before buying, if you still feel you have to do so.

Disadvantaged to be aware of include fire and life safety, increase in structural support, difficulty in construction logistically.Your best bet is meet with a local GC.

By the way you explain it I know it wasn't easy,,but nothing in life worth having is.  

If your life savings is 35k, then you cannot afford to do this with cash.

I see unexplainable debts (possible amounts owed to prior landlords) and late utilities as bad, but the rest is just the poor personal fiannce habits or life circumstances that make applicants renters rather than owners.- Having roots in the community, normally having lived in that neighborhood for several years, or in this case being close to her parents adds screening points.

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You should start by reading "Set For Life" by Scott Trench.