It will be harder with the little houses here for you to make a decision as fast as local investors who know the area block by block.All the best.

I am a relatively new investor and must admit I am really struggling with determining what a property is worth...I realize ultimately if the deal goes far enough we will need to do an appraisal and this will tell us the lending value.....However, when I am analyzing properties sometimes the pricing just does not make sense....for example two duplexes on the same street within a few blocks of each other....they appear to be in similar condition....One is a foreclosure listed for 97,000....another is a regular sale (not foreclosure or short sale) for 59,000....the foreclose is vacant and needs work...the regular sale is in good condition, has performing tenants in place for 650/side...I just don't understand why can be so different....When looking at properties I see examples like this all the time.

We regularly use Kijiji (like Craigslist) to list our units {though last week they announced they will start charging $29.99 for real-estate listings ... the latest change since they were acquired by eBay} and it has worked well for us.I also use individual appointments, but try to schedule them in blocks (15-minute showings with a 5-minute window between appointments).

I'm going to use aluminum L channel to keep it all together and a rubber membrane to block water.

Here, the warzones and the poor but decent streets can be only a couple blocks apart.Caveat emptor.

So a lis pendens can have the correct property description or even a description that includes the other lot but no address or even a parcel # or block/lot #'s and still be included in the foreclosure.So again, who told you the lost weren't foreclosed on?

but lets imagine its not I am trying to decide if its worth itCan do brick block and rock and everything up to shingles on roofAnd am friends with hvac and a plumber and several electricians where I cannot diy I think that DIY is the best option for me to get into investing as its the only part of the game I knowLots of things to read and think about here at bigger pocketsAnd I have to start somehow

Bake some pies, have some drinks, and arrange a block party!

Neighborhoods can change dramatically from one block to just the next street over.

Our previous strategy prior to going green was to have the best house on the block priced at a drastic discount from the competition (8 - 10% less) - we often received clean offers above asking and were under contract in under 2 weeks.