The world I come from views absolutely anything outside the box (like owning your own business of ANY type at all) as a get rich quick scheme or a scam.

For a little example, Google up  Fidelity Land Trust in Florida......key words, scam, homeowners, attorney general issues cease and desist order, attorney general seizes Fidelity's assets, etc.

@Cliff Bailey,This has scam written all over it. 

Have any of you encountered a similar situation?

Just remember that the difficulties we encounter are here to make us better, not bitter............and I must say that my ordeal has forced me to be a better investor and has provided a great learning opportunity.

@Ivy HaileyWhat you just posted is a scam - those posts are all over Facebook.SorryBe careful what personal info you send to people and never send checks/money ordersMy hard money lenders accept credit cards for app fees so if it even was a scam, I'd be protected 

(lots of scam contractor after Katrina), what's the demand for a house that flooded out the year before ?....

3.What difficulties did you encounter when you began your career in real estate?

Is this a scam

And I feel certain the costs would actually be higher, for several reasons, including the fact that our local construction contractors will only provide a base price for their work, which they then 'adjust' "if" they encounter things like clay, rock or water.