@John P.I'm looking at a handful of markets, Parts of the atlanta area, indianapolis, jackson, jacksonville, oklahoma city, kansas city, and memphis.

@John CheaIf you are completely green to evaluating and purchasing real estate, I would definitely find someone with knowledge and experience whom you trust to assist/coach you with evaluating and potentially negotiating this deal.This person could be another, experienced investor, a contractor, a real estate agent, or a combination of different folks providing those skill sets.An experienced investor will be able to assist you in analysing the numbers and determining if the property really is a deal worth pursuing  - separate the facts from the vendors rosy words and claims to sell the property.If you bring in a contractor to walk the property, you should plan to remunerate them for their time (unless you have a long standing relationship and they know there will be work for them).   

Hi @John Waterson,Welcome to BP! 

My name is John Kenny.

Thanks John, yes, I went to John Fedro's site and found that page. 

Check em out and let is know if worth pursuing at all, John!

Thank you john clark!

@John Yanko "First in time is first in right" is a principle of property law going back to the common law.

-John

Originally posted by @John Thedford:p.s...do you have statutory usury laws?