Google earth and street view can tell you a lot about an area without actually having to hit the street.After doing some online research you would be well served to burn a tank or two of gas to get a true feel.

Since than I made a habit of paying the Cards off by month end.

If I want to pay no more than 75k, should I offer 70k and have some room to negotiate, or rather lay the cards down and offer 75k ?

Should go up some after aging at least 6 months.Ask for a credit line increase on your credit cards that report your available credit.

Not true.

Like when paying a credit card, if I write a check and say "Full Payment for Account #XXXXXX" that's valid?

There's also a lot of competition for section 8 rentals, with more every day, so this may not hold true forever.

I would guess that is true other places too.

If it sounds too good to be true...

steve,i talked to our agent and she said that $995 (the previous price) was a great price for the area. she said it's clean, nice, super maintained, updated, etc. she said nothing negative although i asked.her feedback was "there's a tenant for every house, and you have not found yours yet".i think the competition this year is fierce since more people like me purchased houses low and are renting them out. i am fine with that....but my house is the lowest price in the suburb. the agent asked for 1 month's rent to list it and she said she can rent it. i already "lost" 2 months rent. if it's true and she can do it, i should have gone with her...