I was out money for inspection, survey, HOA application, HOA govern doc order, and other fees.On the day of the closing they called my attorney and said oops can't close, your client's revealed an error in the legal description currently filed, which turned out to be a typo in the legal going back many many owners.

Red flags: * Location* Topography* Lot characteristics* Title issuesLocation meaning -* Neighbors* Shopping* Main street (I won't buy on a main street)* Comps* CrimeTopography meaning -* Excessive slope or excessive flatness... neither of which are cheaply fixed* Flood zone or notLot characteristics -* Easements* Setbacks* Access* SizeTitle issues -* IRS liens, FIFA liens, etc... basically government leans that I can't do jack squat about.Everything else about a house, lot, or title I can remedy if the price is right.

It is a heavy rental market fueled by government subsidized housing.

For me not accepting section 8 is more about the government then the potential tenant.

In the case of the HUD-1 form, this is one of those rare occurrences where our "free enterprise and small government" southern neighbour has "out governmented" us ;) In Canada the closing attorney would prepare a Letter of Arrangement which serves {more or less} the same purpose.

It is the company site for:Allen, Williford & Seale They appear to be a large scale, commercial and government oriented appraisal company.

My guess is that give it a few years and government red tape will make a good idea too costly or time consuming to implement on a reasonable scale, although I hope I am wrong.

I think the government spends too much time telling us what we can and cannot do.If the referral fee is illegal, what would keep the agent from hiring you to go put up their sign for $500?

I've found my mentors through my local rental association, REIAs and through a free government program called SCORE (www.SBA.gov).If you haven't already checked it out, here's a link to The Ultimate Beginner's Guide http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing on BP - it's great.Truly, Steph

The CA government restricts brokers on how much of other peoples money they can lend, if you were indeed talking with a broker.