I just can't stand to not be involved in some way with the grunt work.For the reasons you've stated above, that is why I don't partner with anyone on my deals.

The Harvard report cites a Fannie Mae study showing that while attitudes toward homeownership have become more negative over the last few years, 74 percent of renters and 87 percent of the general population still view homeownership as safe investment.While many households aspire to homeownership, tightened underwriting standards may stand in their way and the report speculates that the proposed 20 percent down payment requirement for qualified residential mortgages could sharply curtail homeownership unless the borrower obtains a government guarantee.

This is the sort of sign that would work for a road side fruit stand.

Finding a fully performing property especially at the 50% suggestion with multifamily is a non starter.A trophy property the owners will demand a premium.The typical buyer is a doctor,lawyer,etc. who wants a newer property in turn key condition to us as a tax shelter.They don't really need the income all that much.What I see most investors going after including myself is value add deals.Where you have a burnt out landlord or a property with deferred maintenance or both.Some people have more money than sense and do not make good managers.The value add deal is where you can create equity and cash flow the quickest.Many investors love apartment foreclosures from banks.There is no emotion like from a regular seller but also there isn't usually as many ways to structure a deal.So each avenue has it's pluses and minuses.If you talk to banks they are hoping the market gets better.If you talk to buyers many say we are still in a recession and will not pay the banks prices based on over inflated appraisals.So what you have is a stand still in the bid-ask gap pricing.Some product is moving but not the kind of volume to turn the market around yet.If you want start out with one house and build from there.I agree with everyone on the fees.The contractors will suck you dry.You have to know what work you want to do and not to do.I tell contractors I want investor pricing and that I am very cheap and want a deal.If they are looking for a retail deal don't even waste my time.Between plumbing,electrical,pest control,lawn maintenance,and on and on your cash flow can go out the window real fast.On my apartment building I have a cheap handyman mow the grass and do minor repairs.Grass company wanted a one year contract and 210 a month!

Rob - Would an acrylic sealer hide those imperfections or make them stand out - like when you stain wood?

@JeffWhat does CCIM stand for???

Taz said it best, there are reasons for using an LLC and advantages to it, but you must do it and operate it correctly, otherwise, you do stand the chance of the corporate veil being pierced.I like this statement the best as it is very accurate:Originally posted by Taz:There's no real controversy, but there is a lot of confusion.

Only a couple of sips into my first cup of Joe & I'm having vivid flashbacks of standing rigidly at attention while Sgt.

Is it a different website to check bbb standing?

Without any evidence (like quotes with some context), your theory has no ground to stand on.Clearly, you CAN'T support what you wrote in your original thread.