I have always wanted to be my own boss...this has been a goal of mine sfor as long as I can remember.

Remember these obstacles are put in front of us to make us prove we are willing to work to earn what we want in life.

I deal in in-town Atlanta neighborhoods that range from $80-800k retail points.

This costs about $500 (don't remember exactly) and takes about 4-6 weeks if done electronically.

I remember reading sob stories in the paper a few years back about people who were being foreclosed on when they should have been burning their paid off mortgage.

Remember these people lost their property.

About 80 percent of the time the property looked good in the picture but when you got there in a matter of a few days to a week the place was trashed.You have to remember for the small commission the REO brokers are making on these it is "cash for trash".Small lots,old houses,very high taxes,and aging city sewer system that is falling apart.Many of these houses the foundation does waves,electrical and plumbing is stripped,mold,etc.Smart local investors are buying outside Atlanta in the surrounding counties where they spend a little more but nicer areas and higher rents and lower property taxes.

financing is the biggest headache I deal with,,most of the guidlines you are talking about aren't with the bank, but with Fannie,, some of the rules make no sense,, and one mystake can make it so that you can't go conventional, but there is always a portfolio loan from a bank (a loan they don't sell), but you won't lock in the rate for 30 years

I think I asked about the standalone dishwasher here a long time ago about another house and people recommended against it (I can't remember why), but it still sounds like a good idea to me.

I remember back a few year while watching TV, a news bulletin would come up every 15 minutes with a Santa update using NORAD tracking.