But my experience had been on the first year, you have many unplanned for expenses that pop up, so forget the cash flow, just deductions against the W2.

Several issues popped up along the way, but the biggest lesson learned - just turn over the work to the contractors!

Originally posted by @Dustin Mathenia:I don't think I would ever close without using a title company or at least a experienced real estate attorney but I would like to find out who owns the house and find a way to warn anyone else dumb enough to fall for this deal.just look up the address on the county website or the assessors office in that county.. the owner will pop up... simple as that no mystery takes all of 3 minutes.

Sounds funny when I think back, but it wasn't long till real estate popped up.

That kind of thing can pay off way down the road.From a home selling perspective, I used to also think that they never sold the house, but in the past few years have had a couple of listings that really did sell from the open house (not on the buyer's list but were nearby, and another time the people weren't even looking but popped in and fell in love). 

I'm guessing that these middlemen companies are trying to lock up the local market and take their cut.I popped in this thread because I was going to be posting today trying to find a contractor for a reno I've got coming up. 

Get a small mom and pop architect (I can recommend several) and submit your plans.

A clear pattern emerged with the same name popping up.

We need a bubble to pop, of course!

Pop tops and scrapes with lots of spread.