This approach requires far less cash than actually buying the property.Asher: you indicate you have a down payment.

I basically set a price that gives me 3x my initial equity investment and indicated i might be interested in only selling my 8 unit (just bought 2 mos ago, great cash flow, but lower income, a bit of a PIA to manage).

o For plumbing, assuming the plumbing pipes are not made from a substandard material (like Polybutylene) and assuming I don't see anything that indicates a major plumbing issue, I assume there are none.

Maybe this is a new economic indicator - subs leaving jobs.

We did look at section 8, but unfortunately the list has been closed since 2006 and they can give no indicator as to when they will open it back up.

If you have comps that indicate the value of the property is higher, submit them to the broker, who can work with the lender/underwriter to do a review of the appraisal and hopefully get it revised.If you have the appraiser's phone number, perhaps give him a call and discuss the situation.

I am guessing(only guessing) that since this is a slab foundation, and you indicate there are issues with other houses in the neighborhood that these foundation damages are due to shrinking and swelling of active clay soils.

I can indicate the size of the mantle, for instance, or circle a defect in a photo to remind myself that it needs to be repaired.

However, as you indicated, it is for vehicles in most states.

I am looking at the deed of trust but do not see the indication whether it's an FHA loan or not?