Agreed Jay, and that's pretty much our old "good ole days" prior to the predatory lending laws, Dodd-Frank, changes in TILA and a half dozen other Acts as well as  ALTA setting up changes in title requirements, insuring title and escrow.Of the DIL's I accepted I never had one issue, never, but then that was then and we're no longer in then, my comments are from current (last 3 years) of consuming legal opinions, rulings and perceptions within the whitepapers of agency and governing organizations.   

What protects us as the consumer from shady sellers and their agents?

I hope I can do for someone else what was done for me however I do intend to get my license a little later down the line. right now it's a bit too costly and time-consuming 

For better or worse its already gentrifying, there are a lot of cute New England homes waiting to be renovated, you've got the cute new town-center, and the tourist appeal of wollaston beach... it's where I'm putting my money.While the area is a bunch of families and you'll probably find plenty of wholesome renters I'm definitely with Account Closed on tenant screening, though.

As stated this is the place, consume as much as you can, ask questions and participate as much as you can.

It's a great service for local restaurants, consumer good and services. 

Sometimes flips don't work well in high tax markets because the consumer cant afford a mortgage and the taxes for a renovated home.

If you have read my profile I use to Invest and Rehabbed Properties by myself in other states, which is very hard to do on your own, (time consuming) but simple if you have the Passion and mindset for it.

But repairs are first, expensive, secondly, time-consuming, and third, risky.  

If you are looking for a consumer financing for an investment property, I would recomend lake michigan credit union.