If you do not intend to move back your best option would actually be to sell if you want to invest the equity.

I actually take the contrarian viewpoint that you do not need to get your real estate license.

I actually pay all of the utilities (it's a unique property) and they're already connected, so this is not relevant.Any advice is appreciated as always.

Just like being in the military everything is regulations, but nothing really made sense about my job until I went overseas and actually did it.

Did you look at the actual taxes?

.), ]  age building (year of the most recent updates to roof, electric, plumbing, heat can help on old buildings),   limit for the value of the building,   whether it is Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value (RC vs ACV), size of the deductible,   claims history of the property,  etc.You should get an individual quote for the most accurate rate.

@Malcolm Mcdowell You need to clarify, are you looking at REO’s, or the actual foreclosure action auction......auction.com handles both, but most are the REO type.

His name is Mel for the purpose of listing out our situationsHere are some of the realities of our situation:Mel has a lower FICO (610-620 I believe)My FICO score is higher (770)Mel has a W2 paying job where he is salariedI am a 1099 with two separate companies (Independent Contractor)Mel has been FHA approved up to $300k I have not because I don't have a "steady income" even though my income is higher than average, they don't like the fact that it is inconsistent because I am not salaried.We currently live in Orange CountyLooking in Pomona (LA County) and Riverside County for property because anywhere else $300k is unrealistic to find a multi or a SFR to flip.Now if you've come this far and read all that....

I've had lenders the past actually do research on the gift giver, and deny loans based on where the gift giver got the funds..  

I actually attended one or their house hacking seminars last Monday and it had some great info.