Clearly I'm traumatized.The lesson I learned is its not MY money to be cheap with, its the property's money which should come from its repair reserves fund.Now instead of having 1 person do it all and stress me out, I go straight to the specialist for the task.

I personally only buy STR'S where I would want to go on vacation. 

If you can't keep control of your personal finances, you are highly unlikely to succeed in real estate investing.

If they fail to acknowledge your claim, then your contractor license board consumer department can help you out.

Call all the auction companies in your area and get on their mailing listing (make a personal contract with auctioneer associates - let them know that you are a buyer)  they will email you a list of up-coming foreclosure auctions.Your benefit by getting to the owner early, is that you may be able to 1.take over the mortgage by making up the back payments 2. get a deed signed, 3. take over the existing mortgage 4. advise the owner how to delay or stop the mortgage foreclosure 5.

Whenever someone files for bankruptcy, there is an automatic stay of all legal proceedings against that person. 

Have your attorney draw up a lease and purchase option to ensure your compliance with consumer protection laws.

It can also handle inbound customer service calls & converses like a person rather than a robot.

Networking with industry experts can provide valuable insights and personalized services.

Ben, So what I am hearing you saying is you had a property in LA that was worth $755,000 and after the sale of that property, you cleared $366,000 which you turned and bought a property in Houston for $400,000 by using the $366,000 and adding $34,000 more in personal funds. am I correct in my understanding?