I live in the Metro-West area of Boston, work in the pharmaceutical industry as a day job, and my husband and I gutted and rehabbed our first home in Worcester, MA ourselves (okay, we did contract out refinishing the floors and exterior paint, but nothing else).

Hey Jon, when I wrote my 2nd book (1990s) I researched colors nationwide with several paint manufacturers and found that White and Yellow were THE most used.However when I selected the yellow for my own house, Sherwin and Depot (both with BIG discounts) could not match the Colonial Yellow I wanted.

And this is why Rolfe allowed NPR and Al Jazeera into the room at this weekend's Mobile Home University.Rolfe doesn't care how negative or positive these articles are about his industry - he is too smart for that.The value to Rolfe in having mainstream liberal press write articles that paint him in *at BEST* a neutral light - is that he knows that deep pocketed investors love mis-priced assets.

It is listed for $70,000 and just needs paint, carpet and a cleaning.

@Matt C.You might pair the lease with a lease bonus they select from things that improve the unit, a ceiling fan, paint a room new faucets or shower heads.Paul

Maybe I'm missing it in there, but where is general maintenance like painting, carpet, plumbing etc?

Paul and just bought our (and my) first house in Oakdale MN (suburb of STP), and after some painting, a new dry bar, and a few updates to the bathrooms, we are extremely happy with the way the house looks!

Start by getting good LICENSED contractors from all of the various trades to inspect it and prepare plans and budgets to bring it up to code.Also, asbestos and lead-based paint are probably involved, and must be assumed to be present until known otherwise.

The renovations I'm interested in are more than "paint & carpets" but will not include additions, foundation work, or other major work (hopefully).Essentially, my strategy is to perform medium-level difficulty work on a 2-4plex with the intention of staying in one unit and renting the others out.

Looking to hold for about 5 yrs.Purchase price - $61,000 (Market value about $82,000)Initial investment - $4,000 (paint/ repairs/ appliances)Rent - $825/ month (based on recent comparable rentals)Taxes/ insurance - $133/ monthProperty Mgmt - $82.5/ monthPaying cash and will re-fi in 6 months.ThanksHemant