I had a friend that was older than me and got shot jumping out of a helicopter in Vietnam Nam but he made it back home.  

Sounds like a good plan, just remember real estate is a long term path and your thinking on the right one.Might close on the new house so you won't have issues with improvements being made, you'll want those expenses to be depreciated as an investment property.

There is a product that people are liking quite a bit more and it's made by General Finishes and it's a "gel stain."  

I had already made off and agreement on 2500 for closing but rules state only 3 % so I ended up only getting 1150 instead and couldn't go back and ask for lower price from seller

The decision my wife and I have made on this same topic was to wait.

Those aren't exactly something the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has made optional...My BS detector is starting to activate.

(The lender wanted to chat on the phone, i actually went to her and got face to face with her, i think that made a good impact) I find that having all your paperwork done and turned in before finding the property provides you with a little more leverage negotiating.

It seems as soon as I mentally made that decision deals and opportunities are falling into my lap.

@Ornella Kaneza looks like this post hasn't chaged in over 2 years, but i hope you made the move to fix and flip or house hacked.

One finally made an offer we grudgingly accepted, and he is refusing to pay the bird dog the $500 and expects us to pay for it.I buy houses and pay the bird dogs $500.