The taxes and insurance combined are about $100 a month, the housing association fees are $175 a month (includes some insurance, water, trash, repairs/upkeep from the walls out etc.) 

Both sides are currently rented by long term tenants for a combined $975/mo.  

Due to a combination of events, divorce, condo investing, untimely market, loss of job all within 2 years of one another, I had managed to lose 50 % of my net worth and pretty much through in the towel on REI with the exception of my primary residence.

My solution is for them to be able to sell the house for cash,as-is, and then combine that with the check from insurance company to buy a new house.

I'm relatively new here, as well, but I can tell you there's a huge wealth of info here on all aspects and angles of real estate investing from an incredible amount of combined years of experience.Much better than any paid program.

I think I will combine the two as much as possible through flipping and holding when I gain more experience under my belt.

Especially given the circumstances the the California guys and galls have indicated: properties are selling fast and apparently it is not uncommon to have combined commissions at 5%.I have contacted her, and I gave her a list of the comps in the very near area.

If you combine that with a commission on the buy it is possible to pull some cash out of a low down payment bank financed purchase.  

Buy it then combine it as one lot.Definitely2.

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