Once you get that done then you can make an offer SUBJECT TOO receiving approved building permits from the country or city or whoever the jurisdiction is.This is what I do in Charleston these days when you have BAR review and other impediments I make my offers subject to actual permits being obtained..

In particular, I want to get started renovating homes outside of the Northampton, MA area, where quaint country homes are a prime market for visiting professors and working professionals.

I am looking to invest 15-30K to start with and see what I can get for this downpayment somewhere else in the country. 

Are rehabs that much cheaper in other parts of the country?

@Brent Coombs I agree one should not substitute quantity for quality.  

I am not an investor, I am a high school educated self made businessman who made the difficult journey and transition from government assistance apartments as a kid to the proverbial country club.  

I agree that it's not the easiest market to get into.

That's what I've learned so far...I hope there's nothing more to come.I agree.

I am certainly open to looking at something that needs work, but I don't think I can handle a total rehab at this point.And I agree that anything online is already public and widely viewable.  

The bank has agreed to do a short sale of 189k.