I buy all finish materials myself -- lights/fans, faucets, sinks, carpet, appliances, etc.

So the main question is "what would you do if you were in my shoes to get started on investing in real estate"?

I am a huge fan of the two strategy approach you are looking at taking, in fact we just got our first rental property under contract to purchase after focusing on building capital through rehabs for the last 2 years.

While I'm no fan of lawyers, this might be the time to get one before you make some big mistakes.

I ended up using it in the first week for a ceiling fan that unexpectedly had the motor burn out.

I assume what the previous post meant is that by buying from the previous owner with a deed in lieu, I could at least reap the benefits of owning the property (in the shoes of a homeowner) while waiting to close a deal of some kind with BOA.

Supposed to be safe but in talking with one of the advisers he informed me they had a large position in AIG before the crash but it was lucky their position matured right before everything hit the fan.

I am a big fan!

They are national but from what I hear they're targeting 10-15 cities.Enjoy the good times while they last but make sure you have an exit strategy when the stuff hits the fan.

If the want to split their fee and shine your shoes,, I doubt you have a 20% agent