The county assessment has a market value of over $130k for the entire duplex, thats much too high with this poor upper side.

Most are oil stain and will require a good oil primer like Kilz for the paint to adhere properly.With all rehab decisions, like Ann said, do what the majority of buyers will like in today's market.

I know other family members who work a regular JOB.Their mindset is put money in savings in case of a medical illness or rainy day fund.Take 1 or 2 trips a year with vacation and that's all they aspire to be.They look at me and what I do and think "I am lucky" or "I have it good" that I have my own business.They think I sit at home in my office all day and do nothing.They do not realize I am putting in way more hours than they could imagine.I am sacrificing now so that down the road as I get older (36 now) I can take it more easy.Meanwhile many of these (savers) will be working as a greeter at Wal-mart at age 70 and complaining about social security not being enough.I am not going to be one of those statistics.A family member that is 68 has their house paid off,car paid off,and with social security still lives hand to mouth.I try to explain they need to grow that money to stay solvent but FEAR is what grips them from making a move.Whatever everyone believes we know we are born and in a certain amount of time we die.Where we go after that is up to each person to decide.So you do not have time to let FEAR keep you from making rational decisions and not living life.There is risk in everything.Successful people taker calculated risks and on average win more times than they lose.I guess I would be 4 and 5 since I have my own money but also buy property using owner financed deals.

Fortunately I did not have to make the decision as my short fell thru (anyone else finding lender's getting very agressive with counters?).

I've already interviewed one who has a five year track record in my area, and will be interviewing another one before making my decision.

I'm not really sure how many people have this number, but my guess is most of them do.My guess is also that most rehabbers have this number, but again, it's going to be dependent on location, contractors, finish decisions, materials, etc.For me, the number is $10/sf for interior cosmetic renovation.

Somehow we got to a point where a group meets in secrecy to make key decisions that have huge impacts on all areas of our economy.

I am still in the very early process of starting to look into real estate investing, I am not 100% sure it is the most intelligent decision at this point and I would like to outline my financial situation to get some advice on how to proceed.

Both these businesses are non-real estate businesses.So here's my advice:My advice is to talk to an attorney AND a CPA, because your decision intersects state and federal tax laws.

Because B can help you make a decision on A, they can give you accurate numbers on the the rehab work.