We made a choice to invest in a duplex in Edmonds and keep renting in the area we love.

Can your friend get a car title loan or give you title assuming there is sufficient equity?

What it shows however, is that there is also a resurgence in the segment of the housing market that appeals to young professionals and others who seek an urban lifestyle, and live in the city by choice, not necessity.Disclaimer: Detroit is very much still a difficult market for the average investor.

In the end, my only choice was to get a soil sample test ($500) and based on the results, assess the level of risk and choose to move forward or walk away.

We are buying a few choice pieces now to flip quickly so that I can get a cash flow going to build this business with. 

You do it because it's the right thing to do, the family needs a stand-up guy and you were the best choice. 

But I made the choice to pick a lender to broker your proposed loan to that will refuse to do it because they have an overlay that I forgot or didn't know about, and now at the 10 yard line realized that I screwed up and can't do your loan."

Rentals are one area where the little guy can still compete with the mega corps and large apt complexes, often winning over some choice tenants with personal service, flexible terms, and small touches...Just a few ways, off the top of my head, that I think we can gain a competitive advantage over more rigidly run large complexes (though all markets vary, so these are based on my experiences)....) flexible terms (I offer a six month or one year lease; of course, most six month folks renew, but some like the flexibility; some large complexes are "one year or nothing" in my market..)) new mats (inside and out of the doors; bath, even runners or area rugs in high traffic area for vinyl plank flooring)...while they add some "wow factor" and look like gifts, there is self interest at work here, however, as the matting greatly reduces wear and tear on my flooring.) pets on approval ( I have some of the best behaved canine tenants imaginable, and their high quality tenant owners stay long term, are respectful, and pay well,yet are often shunned by many "no pets" larger places)) small (tax deductible) $20 gift card at holidays ..

. * If you've got sufficient equity, start shoving as much debt as possible into as few properties as possible.

Reading posts on BP will not educate you sufficiently but will expose you to done if the situations and questions encountered, including the problems and how others conceive of solving them.