To add insult to injury, every company I’ve asked for a quote based on the quote I got from the first vendor, wants me to pay another several hundred dollar service fee to come out and look at it themselves.

So that by the end of the amortization schedule, almost the entirety of the monthly mortgage payment goes directly to pay principal.

Welcome to the site @Shabnam Moobed!

Can you save more or get it so you are at 20% down and therefore don't have to pay PMI?

I know HUD only contributes $1,500 towards a junior lien settlement, but if the junior lien holder does not want to settle would HUD allow the buyer  to pay off the junior lien out of their own pocket?

The original owner has a ton of exemptions so she only pays $400/ year on property taxes.

Hi @Irving Rivera - I think the old saying that "You get what you pay for" holds true in real estate investing too.I think Chicago neighborhoods like Garfield Park are great IF you have the right team and MOST IMPORTANTLY THE RIGHT TEAM COSTS $$$. 

@Daniel Mendez As much as possible.If we do a holding agreement to take the unit off the market we try to get them to pay the first month rent and any other move in costs other than the security deposit, which they pay at lease signing. 

The first thing a scam artist will do is build a fancy looking website and pay for some reviews. 

My tenant was paying 2200 and my mortgage was 2700 per month.