However, there is new home construction on what seems like every corner and undeveloped farmland as far as the eye can see.

This can be very attractive as it's so much easier.When a trusted person in the public eye takes your money and "invests" it, you are counting on their reputation and belief that, because they are an educator, your money is safe.

Being able to keep an eye on my score makes the FICO no so important because I may be wrong, but I think that if my score is good and rising the FICO must be okay :)

Thanks for reading.I'm still a wide-eyed n00b to the REI world, so what the hell do I know...but I couldn't agree more with what you stated.

I am curious how some of the investors keep an eye on the MLS properties?

This will likely never go in front of a judges eyes...but be prepared for the "emergency"...and stick to your guns with the tenant....and read up on state specific ll/tenant law.

Just close your eyes for a while.

Me personally, I'd rather poke myself in the eye with a toothpick than get involved with CMO'S!

Good debt - Buy income producing property at today's low fixed rates, then let your tenants pay off your mortgages with the devalued dollars of the future....Yeah, I'm being basically doom and gloom but with some basic financial education and keeping your eyes and mind open there is still much success to be made no matter what happens to the U.S. of A and its economy.

so i own this older home built in 1959 here in california. i found a great rental candidate. i think we all know how hard it is to find decent people now a days. anyhow he needs 220v to do some carpentry work at home. he is willing to add or change to 220v all at his expense from start to finish. i have no idea what it entails. i recall when i lived at that home that i wanted to do the 220 deal. i see no harm in this but would like to get your opinion. i told him it needed to be done by an electrical contractor and per code. and also that it should not make any eye sores on the house. this is all talk at the moment as i still need to run his credit etc. need some advice. thanks in advance.