I went to public auctions and he taught me the basic fundamentals of the business.My question is.

The partners I used basically had cash sitting in a savings account.

I found a house off searching tax liens, and the seller is an elderly person who has a relative helping to get the house sold before the lien redemption ends(this month)They refuse to do a contract, i even offered to make it just a week long, at least enough time to market the house, throw it on Craigslist whatever, as i know they have limited time.I think they are trying to work other angles, which i can appreciate, and they seem eager to sell( i got them down to $10k + i would have to pay the 4500 lien) Recent solds show about 32-45k comps, and my agent says the area(moreland ave) is a lot of investor activity.Today they told me "we'll do a contract once you have the funds ready, but we don't want to do all the contract paperwork, we just want cash upfront".I explained i work with investors and I can't market the place without having a contract, and i wouldn't want to knowing they can sell it from under me.Should i basically forget about it and move on?

We would like to get the zoning changed to make it a legal SFH and complete the interior conversion (basically making the 2nd unit living/dining into bedrooms)Does anybody know if I need an attorney or if I can just submit a zoning change request with the city?

Is there a lot of mechanical work involved (heat pump, boiler)?

Only thing I would add other than turning the water off is be sure the heat is on.

Also, you will have really high utility bills, because your guests will leave the heat at 75 degrees with the window open.You will also have to either get a management company or deal with marketing, reservations, contracts, receiving payments from guests, security deposits, housekeepers, maintenance, keys, etc yourself.

My tenant is refusing to pay rent because of a heat issue.

Was it because they let the heat run out (oil or propane) and the pipes froze?

Work hard and do well in school, develop your basic life skills and most of all HAVE FUN.