Fiance mentioned painting the doors orange or yellow the other day but I think that is a little overkill.

If you're in an area where there are postage size stamp lots with many homes like the general LA, Orange and San Bernardino areas of CA, an appraiser will never go past 1.5 miles unless it is a more rural area.

@Ellis HammondYou will not find the 1% rule in Los Angeles or Orange County.

I did a few flips in West Orange 1-2 years ago, but you're right, the market is crazy now.

I also agree with her that your credit score should not be your focus now.It sounds like things are going to turn around for you soon whereby you can save more of your money, and more importantly, take care of this low hanging fruit.

So only apples to oranges comparison. 

They are just too cheap to let go of that dollar, and think like you - I'm going to sit back and enjoy the fruits of my investments - not labor.

And . . . . it's not as if the budget is going to be fat and happy on these jobs either - there is always lower hanging fruit than rehabbing houses for investors.

I have always seen them caught with live traps with fruit as the bait. 

I love to learn from others who have fruit on the tree and would much appreciate advice from people that have experienced success themselves.