This industry is notoriously old-fashioned, so you'll find that things move slow in some areas.

I guess I'm just now beginning to scratch the surface.

Every surface and everywhere.

The 1% rule is just a spitball way to look at a deal on the surface very quickly.

There's a mentality problem here that may seem minor on the surface but this is a big red flag in my opinion. 

I do not want to purchase the property if I have to exceed my underwriting in this fashion.

My concern is that the report that the government did was over-the-top; all of the lead-painted surfaces in the house have been covered with latex paint and are not chipping, but the report still makes an issue of them.

Paint every surface that can't be cleaned enough to look acceptable and ensure all the mechanicals are working properly.

I got my start in a similar fashion - moving from Hong Kong to Maine.

The usury laws in Arizona - 10% cap... well, that is what on the surface at least.Btw, could you tell me more what you mean by "Also be sure to have both taxes and insurance escrowed to avoid a high price mortgage loan".