@Mat Poole, I did the rounds with local banks in Arkansas when I was considering investing there.

Originally posted by @Mat O'Grady:@Matt Dabek I have a house that was partly built in the 1800s.

@Mat Poole The biggest thing I took away from my first rental purchase (closed in June this year) was CONFIDENCE.

Here are some quick factors, if there is a room above this low ceiling room and is the low ceiling in this room a hard ceiling attached to strapping/floor joists for the above room then it is going to be majorly cost prohibitive in my opinion to pursue this option.If the roof above this room is framed with trusses (look for steel mending plates at all joints) then again, majorly cost prohibitive and you want an engineer involved. 

Our clients are wonderful, respectful, boot-strapping survivors who have powered through every challenge in front of them--there’s no other way for people to make it through the refugee system.

Hi Rudy,I have no idea what would add value in your local market niche, but if it were mine, I'd strongly think about keeping the marble exposed and use a commercial floor mat service to provide and clean the floor mats. 

I would have a talk with the lease holders and let them know what market rent is and find out about their financial situation (maybe they really aren't strapped and market rent wouldn't be an issue); In any event, I would raise the rent moving foward to keep up with inflation and additional costs and of course if your buyout necessitates that you bring in more money then you must raise the rent at least to where the deal makes financial sense for you regardless of the tenant's situation.

@Jay Mat I personally stay out of Darby.

I used to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu myself and would love to get back on the mats some day.

Norwich has a Landlord meeting at Dime bank once a month and @Mat O'Grady heads up a BP investors meeting he coordinates once a month.