You may not know it - but I am one of the most anti-debt investors on here, so I totally get what you're saying and why.The absolute dollar savings of $50k over 20 years or however long has to be put in context with the opportunity cost of those monies had they been invested in something else that earned more than your mortgage rate minus tax benefits.I may have missed it, but what is the interest rate of the mortgage you are paying on in this example?  

All of the other stuff about scam tennants and foreclosure redeemed stuff is irrelevant minutia that doesn't have anything to do with anything.

Hey everyone,Ran into a situation today where an offer I made was not only denied but followed up with a lengthy email about how I am a scam artist and that if I'm not serious about buying the home than she is a business owner in town and is going to spread word about me.Anyone run into this situation?  

Curt, there are old scams attached to non-refundable EM deposits, they are not down payments, but consideration for the contract.

How do I protect myself against a scam?

I've noticed even when I explain it to friends, they look at me like I'm trying to scam the elderly or something.

It wasn't CraigsList, but it was a scam.  

Additionally let me clarify I am not anti-agent by far.

What is a shame is that there are probably some good seminars/bootcamps with valuable info but because of these scam artists a lot of them are going to be overlooked.

It is amazing that we have very specific anti-retaliation laws to protect tenants if the landlord attempt to get rid of them, but those tenants can wring out our wallets holding us up in court and freeloading in our properties.