Also, in a lot of cases, the person I would be contacting is a surviving spouse, so I don't think I want to contact them.What are you thoughts and suggestions?

Your survival training begins with basic training, not advanced tactics! 

The problem with most investors is that they are working with a limited skill set, but trying to survive in a dynamic environment.

It is something you should have received ahead of time and the whole issue revolves around whether it survives the sale of the house. 

I think my greatest achievement was surviving the real estate Great Depression without losing any of my investor's money (although I lost a heck of a lot of my own), without losing any property, and came out the other side with a much larger and stronger real estate investment business than I ever would have imagined.I think my "proudest achievement" is having raised over $25 million from investors (and growing), all by word-of-mouth and referrals.

Hi Billy, The BP Podcasts are full of examples of people who survived the latest downturn (2008), and I've always found it interesting to hear the stories of investors from that period.

I wonder how we all survived childhood with all the health issues kids have these days...

Chattel lending is quite different from mortgage lending in a number of ways: 1.The majority of chattel lending on manufactured homes is done by very small entities that could not survive the requirements you set forth in your proposal.2.The majority of chattel lenders utilize their own funds, rather than FDIC, or government insured funds with which to make these loans.

Anyway, the purpose of this forum is to learn and hopefully I can inspire you and others to think outside the box and consider some new ideas because having an arsenal full of weaponry is how you survive and thrive in the ever changing arena of REI. 

When you can afford to not have a paycheck for 3-12 months and it not bring your entire house of cards downI've been full-time for 2yrs but I live in a duplex, have no debt except student loans, and spent years honing my craft at living below the poverty so can easily survive leaner times if they occur.