I wish they would give me $250 off but I don't think that's going to happen :(   I wondered if this request was related  more to establishing a relationship or just to bring in the funds--not really sure.

About 20-40% of my practice has been real estate related. 

About a year and half ago he decided at age 30, he wanted to be a GANG-STA, not sure if that is the correct spelling, but you get the idea.

I’m starting this discussion to hopefully have investors share their knowledge and experiences related to taking possession of REO properties that have occupants.  

All of my customers are construction related since my background has been in the construction industry.I joined the Air Force as an apprentice carpenter and became a superintendent within 5 years.

There have been quite a few mortgage related frauds that have caused the legislation to get involved... and for good reason.

In my experience they were more successful starting their own business than trying to get hired from most companies, who had relatively arbitrary rules against hiring felons.

There is another California law that applies to any company that offers advice or assistance to consumers in credit related transactions – called CSO’s – for unsecured or secured loans.

So, I would think that 40% is a decent long term average between these two properties.In any case, I think the amount of your expenses will be dependant on the quality of tenants that your property attracts, the age of your property, and the number of units (the duplexes probably require a little less maintenance than say an 8 unit).What Mike is saying about 50% costs is probably a good rule of thumb for conservative cashflow estimates.

Yes, we have already seen and may see more price drops just like the rest of the country but in general, current prices are a reflection of what the market will bear out here.Now, I can't argue with you that things are overpriced (I also grew up in the Midwest) but it's all relative and a tradeoff that some of us choose to make.