It is sort of a tradition that new members provide a bit of background and color so folks already here understand the new member better.

But its inefficient when you are talking in terms of ROI, IRR, cash on cash and cashflow and your agent is talking about harmonious colors and scenic looking flowerbeds...Thanks for mentioning ethics, I believe it is very critical to success.

You can paint the walls any color you want.

An investor friend of mine had it on one of her rental houses (that was actually local to her), and they promptly replaced a Cental A/C unit (and changed the associated duct work to accommodate the new unit) without asking a question.She can't say enough good things about the company.

So, unfortunately, what ends up happening is that many (not necessarily all, but many) landlords get pushed by the market dynamics, pricing, etc. holding a long time, or they go there freely day one, into "slum lording" ... that is, not updating these systems properly when they break, dragging out the usable life with bubble gum and duct tape, and renting out basically dilapidated and unsafe properties because the economics don't lend themselves to fixing them properly.2)Not to say you can't still make money in these markets, but it is a different strategy.

When you're right outside of the ugly house you just found, simply write on a sticky color post-let, "I am interested in buying your home, please call me at...) and stick one onto their front door and one onto their garage door. 

Look at their model homes, the property colors, decor and amenities they are offering so you can be inline with what buyers today want. 

It was common for me to hear people as I wandered around talking like "Uggh, the paint color and the carpeting, let's offer them $50k less" ....while I was crawling under the house and opening up the main panel......I had to chuckle as I drove away, usually making no offer at all.You're young and new to this risky, vicious game.

As long as your not changing the duct work you can say its an existing system and you wont need to pull a permit.

Actually just passed the Glen Ridge (HPC) Historic Preservation Commision with flying colors.