Some cities do require them to register and have insurance, but that is no guarantee of the work or quality.While many will fight you on this, my suggestion is to never pay up front. 

At least in terms of rent, college students are paying 1100 - 1600 to rent by the room.

If so, would they be willing to pay that much and not use a realtor?

As for selling with 10% down at 8% interest, you now have two title transfers that violate the due on sale clause and add complications to subject to “safeguards” that reduce risk if note is accelerated, if party in possession doesn’t pay taxes or insurance, and of triggering whatever system the lender has set up to notify them when a deed transfer takes place. 

I am thinking of a system where my investor-based agent gives me a ball park, and after that I pay contractors to go in and give me itemized bids, what do you think about that?

A trust may offer some of the same benefits as an LLC, depending on your goals, and allowing you to claim the part of the house you live in as homesteaded tax.Make sure you have the right home insurance and consider an umbrella policy for extra protection.Certainly buying a house, using conventional financing with limited money down as a primary residence and renting out parts of the house to help pay the mortgage, is a smart financial move.

The fact that title insurance includes defense expense is a great lesson in why chosing NOT to purchase owners coverage is stupid.Of course if the court doesn't award the easement, the title insurer would likely pay out on the title claim based upon the lack of access.

It is effective Aug. 1, 2024.This ordinance is referred to as the Source of Income Discrimination Ban Ordinance" - which is identified in File #231019 and amends sections of Chapter 38 (Civil Rights) and Chapter 34 (Health and Sanitation) in the Missouri Revised Statutes for the purpose of classifying source of income as a protected trait in regard to housing discrimination.Here are some key takeaways from the attached ordinance:This ordinance bans discrimination against tenants based solely on:Source of income from an occupation, including gig work or paying rent in cash Use of public programs like Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, disability checks, or social security Poor credit score Prior evictions and alleged damages older than 12 months (less than 12 months can be a basis for denial) Prior convictions or arrests (sexual and violent crimes are excepted, a landlord can still deny based on these convictions)The ordinance also requires the city to proactively scan for rental ads using discriminatory language like "no Section 8" or "no past evictions".Landlords who are found to be in violation of the ordinance with respect to source of income can be fined up to $1,000 per incident.

@Tonia EdgestonIf it’s non owner occupied you could get a hard money loan to pay back taxes and repairs but these are short term (typically 6-12 months) then you would need to refinance the propertyYou mention this is also in probate - depending also on other debts etc it all may be for not and you may need to sell to pay off other creditors.

If you plan to pay down quickly, splitting into two loans makes more sense because you can attack the more expensive loan with the extra principal payments and rapidly change the weightings, reducing the blended rate with each payment (fyi - most investment property 2nd liens will have prepay penalties).