Rob K just got me thinking, I don't think it's a requirement to use copper, black iron is much cheaper and has no real scrap value.

My study of deflation shows that it is best to be a borrower in deflationary times as deflation will lead to the debt becoming cheaper to service.

You will never have a better {read: cheaper} opportunity to ensure you have a health unit down there.This will have the added benefit of making it very easy to see if you have addressed all the water infiltration issue.

For a new house, anything needing fixing shouldn't take long so in theory it would be cheaper to send a normal handyman.I've used American Home Shield in the past and they were good.In general though, it may depend on whether you are landlording yourself or using a property manager.

For decent cheaper paints when I just want to save some money we use Glidden Gripper for primer.

I know people get by with less and I know companies that go around selling less but I don't consider them to be long term solutions even if they are cheaper and easier.

I have 4 houses under contract for what I thought were fair prices considering the FMV, turns out turn key properties are going for cheaper in some cases, now my Closing date is quickly approaching and no solid hits from cash buyers.

My mother in law built a deck over her pool cause it was cheaper and looked better than filling it with dirt.

I don't know if home prices are that much lower in other areas but for me to even afford a single family home (about 150k, there''s not much cheaper for houses in my area), my debt to income ratio on the mortgage would be close to 70% which no one would lend to me at that.I did the pre-qualify calculator on my credit union website and it seems I'd be able to afford one condo unit for about 100k.The only other affordable things I can find are manufactured homes but I am staying way away from those (grew up in one with bad experiences.)

No so this time...Lowes had the identical brand/model and was a little cheaper plus offered free delivery.