Also, if the house appreciated 50%, in the second scenario you would have made 50,000$, 50% of the equity you have put into the house. those 50,000$ are 111% of the equity you would have had if you used 30 years amortization.So assuming these (perhaps unlikely) conditions, after 15 years you would have:15 years amortization: 150,000 in the house, 110,000 from the compounding cash flow = 260,000 gain.30 years amortization: 95,000 in the house, 500000 from the compounding cash flow = 595,000 gain.Just to show you the power of cash flow and compounding returns.

My realtor doesn't think the seller will go through that (it's a power of attorney sale - the seller is 96 years old).

It is free and quite powerful.  

I can see a cheap plastic material with built in quick connect fittings for plumbing/power being developed.

What type of Power of Attorney is used to authorize someone else to execute a deed?

Nothing exotic but another on-the-road closing...gotta love the power of the internet & dot loop :)Would love to hear of some of your stories of closing on properties in odd locations!

I am some one that if I tell you something will be done in xx time frame  I will do everything in my power to make sure it is done in xx time frame and if I can't make that time frame I will update you with a new deadline with reasoning behind why the time line has slipped.  

And run it long enough to be sure drains aren't blocked - a loooong time with all faucets on.Mark's idea of a pressure test actually could tell you more than having the water on, i.e. broken pipes that are hidden or under ground.Electricians always have tricks to get around no power.Just be sure to have plenty of light(a powerful spotlight type) so you can really have a good look.

But one time I remember early on, I had a contractor come out to basically figure out why my electric baseboard heater wasn't working, and I told him what I thought, I ended up being right, and he basically cut a 3x3 hole in wall, luckily on the first try found the junction box where my wires were (with power) connected wires to wires across the room and charged almost $375 clams for this!?

A lot more fire power with teams versus individuals.