If I'm concerned about a potentially big issue (structural, mold, etc) that I can't evaluate before I put in the offer, I'll include a 3 day due diligence contingency.But remember, between the time you get your offer accepted and the time all the contracts and addenda are signed by all parties, you have a few days to do your due diligence, get contractors to give bids, etc.

If you are gonna flip it, you might not be concerned with the "lifetime warranty" of the repair, if offered, but if you are going to hold it for more than one season (wet season to dry season or vs/vs) you will want that lifetime warranty so you can call them back to shim up the foundation because it WILL move again.....and again and again -you get the point.

This is important because the depth of frost penetration may or may not be an item of concern when determining the repair type (depth of repair, etc).

Mike and Joe, thanks for the replies.Joe, that's exactly my biggest concern that tenants might claim that it wasn't them.I think I might just stick to paper and pen for now.

In a few more years of tenants I'm afraid the drywall may need removed and new studs put in.I'm considering purchasing a flat panel wall mount that will fit the size and weight of most retail TV's and installing it myself and making this part of the lease that the wall mount can't be removed.This rental is in a higher end development so the concern of the tenant not having a flat panel should be slim.

Is there a concern using a real estate agent referred by the bank that is providing the home loan?

People like to have freedom of choice and many are concerned with protecting their privacy.

My concern with oaying a realtor to do the work is that I keep reading that it is illegal in some states.

Go to a well stocked library and check out 10 or 15 good books, and devour them. 75% of the info will overlap, but the repetition is GOOD for you as a beginner.

The thing that concerns me about Option 2 is that I still don't know for sure if they can consistently come up with the full $800/mo. or not.