And so do the ads, because national real estate brands blast away at consumers with marketing that ranges from TV spots and local signage to search engine optimization and social media.

That's why we are importing people from other countries to work as engineers, etc., not because we don't have enough intelligent people in America!

So not only was it a waste of money but then my site disappeared out of the search engines results.

I believe the first step is to have an engineer come up with plans and drawings, but I'm hesitant to go that route ($4k) until I have a better sense of what my cost might be for the rehab to code.I agree with the other posts that the contractors bid is high.

I have a bachelors in engineering and a masters in business.

You could submit pictures, contractor estimates, engineering opinions with your offer.

But, no sales pitch - I'll just tell you my experience as brief as I can.I'm a software engineer, not a Real Estate guy.

If I get a PRO Basic account can I move this thread to an area that can't be search engine searched via my name?

Started as an Industrial Engineer with an MBA until a down Detroit market and family obligations forced a 10 yr hiatus and a move to the Pittsburgh area.

I am currently working in a structural engineering firm in South Boston.I don't have the assets of my own to play with right now (young growing family and all that) so my slowly evolving business plan is to start with flipping to raise short term capital to be able to get into an owner occupied multi-family and then to develop a rental portfolio.To be honest there is a degree of fear that goes into diving into something as big as this and I appreciate all the information that is available right here on BP.