Thanks a lot for your honest answer.

How to do electric:Make sure power is off-buy and use the testerBlack to BlackWhite to WhiteBare wire to Bare wire (ground to ground)Make sure the switch is on the black-that way as long as the switch is turned off, the circuit is dead and you can work without going to the basement and turning the breakers off and on Honestly, knowing that will get you through most electrical jobs in a houseTom: you didn't hear this from me, but if you run a small length of wire from the neutral (white) to where the ground is, when they plug in the tester it will show that the outlet is grounded, even with only 2 wires-not that I've ever done this ;-) It's not going to be to code but:1 nobody will ever check if the tester lights up correctly2 if you take a look at the breaker box, the neutrals (whites) and grounds end up at the same place anyway.3 the previous owners must have done it because it tested fine for me when I bought the place

In TX, I got connected with a very inexpensive, good quality, honest contractor for a couple of cosmetic fixers.

I'd guess paint, done by someone else in that same ballpark, though I honestly have no idea.

It would help real estate agents to sell investments if they could refer their buyers to a rehab team all ready to go that did good work, performed on schedule, and was honest.

Honestly, it's a business that needs to be learned.

And while your looking - be honest with yourself.Make sure you look at any photos - read descritpions of any renovations that have been done and make sure your honest as to how it compares with your home.If you do use CL then be sure to drive by to see the hood and how it compares to where your home is located.

I found my triplex extremely difficult to get decent points/financing 7 years ago and feel it's gotten a little easier.

:lol: And that would really freak me out, so to be totally honest, I think it's a bit of healthy paranoia to some degree.

I came away extremely informed.