Find someone who is doing what you want to do, and volunteer to help him for 12 months in return for teaching you the business.

It is a small community and we have a volunteer Fire dept.

No one is going to ask you specifically what type of tenant you are targeting, and you're not going to volunteer it.

(Primarily because it's one of the few things I can do given the very little capital right now) During the school year I'm in Boston, and this summer I'll be interning in Detroit, so I'll be able to "birddog" those two markets.Is this service traditionally done on a volunteer basis?

If you think about it you might realize that the money you pay the association will help you, after all the bills they pay represent your share of expenses, You might also consider volunteering your time to help them turn things around if they have problems.You might end up with some problems yourself because you now own a proportionate share of everyone elses problems and are owners with partners like the last owner who likes to stiff everyone else expecting others to pay their way.The first thing to do is to find out the associations position at this time because they may be foreclosing on it.

The last unit is occupied by a white collared professional who was recently divorced and has lived in the unit for 2 years..The units are all paying $620 and are due for a rent increase (very good rent as according to rent-o-meter) A $25 increase would put the rents at just below average on rent-o-meter.I am considering writing a letter in which I introduce myself, ask for a volunteer to move out, and notify everyone of the $25 rent increase.

(actually, you don't need to volunteer at all -- just do it if you're interested!)

Homeowner associations are self-governed corporations with volunteer boards that often times do not understand their fiduciary duties.

By volunteering to pay it just seems like I would be opening myself up to a future filled with additional claims.

My goal was to be able to semi-retire so that I could do the things that are important in life like going camping with my family and friends; riding my motorcycle; going scuba diving; snowboarding; volunteering at Church; and other things that I enjoy.