Join your local REIA (real estate investors association) and make friends with the SUCCESSFUL investors in your area.

If so, remember you can't really afford to touch the cash and that means you need to cover your buy out of pocket.That's survey, attorney fee, etc. etc.

Understand there are lots of legal liabilities associated with being an RE agent.There are many agents out there pounding on the door of the bank asking to handle the bank's listings for no money up front and a success fee if they get the job done.

I have a couple of friends (one in Woodbridge Suffolk, UK) and a business associate (investor) in Germany.

Consider joining the local apartment owners association for your state as they will generally be on top of all the rules, reg's and license issues that will apply.John Corey

By the way, here's a publication from the North Carolina Real Estate Commission and the Ohio Association of Realtors stating specifically that you legally do not need earnest money for a contract to be valid.

You're right, I don't have a survey, butWhen I worked as an Asset Manager for one of the largest players in the REO industry, I and my colleagues asked our agents to remove any reference to REO, Bank Owned or Foreclosure.

Now property is not part of all the BS associated with the divorce, and is now more of a business assest.

Check with the National Association of Credit Services Organizations to see if the company you are considering is a member.This is the only accredition that matters in the credit repair industry.

Contact the local AZ chapter for the Apartment Owners Association (or similar).