I can't say for sure, but if your offer is accepted, you may have already made the biggest (and worst) newbie mistake of all - offering too much.In my area, if a house is listed in the MLS and needs "minimal work", it usually sells to an owner-occupant, and they usually pay too much compared to what in investor should pay.Also, realize that the majority of offers made by experienced investors are NOT accepted.If you really made an offer low enough to get you 30,000 in instant equity, your offer probably won't be accepted.

When people look at these homes they immediately realize they are generic and trashy.

mark,I just realized your from Jackson, I grew up in Jackson but I'm 7 years older.

so about myself, ive been building, remodeling, renovating houses for about the last 8 years and ive realized its time to use my skills to benefit myself.

I realize that's not your problem -- it's ours -- but hopefully you can help us get creative on what we can cut or change to get there."

I don't understand why you didn't just put down the shed the moment you realized someone was squatting there.

I'm glad you're realizing that you need to think about what you were doing wrong and improve, but simply heading for Jacksonville isn't the magic bullet - if you can't find good deals and buyers on your home turf, what makes you think you can find them elsewhere?

I'd almost say what the heck are you doing trying to make offers on commercial properties, but I won't, I realize you're new.

I've become attached to the condo, and again in my humble opinion, would like to think that it would be worth more in 5 years or so.The flip side of this is to sell it.. realize the gain, and then invest in a property where the numbers make sense.

The more I read, the more I realize I don't know!