Or...I must be really old-fashioned about marriage, making babies and taking care to bring my family up in a happy and healthy home.

Yes, @Paul Tanso popcorn ceilings are very much out of fashion.

It's a flop in western mi these days.

The more I read posts like this the more I see that we are so much more alike us human beings, then different.I think everyone here can agree that because you are already so determined with regards to real estate, there is no way you will go through life without being a financial success in some form or fashion.

using a home inspector is a good idea. i am a home inspector here in the western new york area. you could have walked yourself right into  a trap, and thats what we inspectors are here for, to keep you from doing that. if i were you, i would go back to that owner, throw them your new offer and tell them it is a " standing offer". that means, you know they are not going to accept it, but after several months on the market, your offer is going to start to look good to them anyway. my guess is that they will eventually call you back and either accept or want to counter offer close to your bid. in the mean time, find another house. they are out there and some of your best deals are the ones not even listed.

Bottomline being I would recommend using one of the other mentioned contingencies.As for your comment Brian, yes, I am one of those stupid old fashioned people that thinks not paying your mortgage just because the bank is rich is wrong.

The expected ROI is 15%+.Feel free to google Williston, North Dakota to check out the housing market we are experiencing in the oil boom of western North Dakota.Tina

Everything affordable is western mass, RI or CT

But I've been hearing about 100% financing for deals and the ones I've seen all seem to lead back to the big three in some way or fashion.

I am a new investor in Western Kentucky, but I attended law school at Northern Kentucky University.