By writing it down I barely ever made the same mistakes twice!

Lots of great info and participants here!

Relate a stabbing underground in the subway does not mean the participants were from that area.

The reason they give 17 days is that it is sufficient enough time albeit barely and because people tend to by nature procrastinate and could and would hold up a closing for months.

As one of those having been asked to participate and one that knows many of the others, I'll try to speak a bit for them and what is going through our minds.

Considering you know your regional norms and were participating in the conversation, it appears you detected racism that might not otherwise be apparent from reading your post.

If the tenant has to pay the money you better believe they will tell you about it.The tenant also lets their buddies come over to wash their cars,the tenants takes extra long showers,and also lets friends come over and run the washer and dryer constantly because their friends do not have a place to do clothes themselves.I have also seen on a building before where the rent included the power bill.A tenant had the A/C on with setting at 60 and a blanket on themselves because they were cold.So long story short you want the tenant to bare the burden of all utilities.Trash can be included with apartments as that is simple.Utilities can eat a landlords cash flow ALIVE.

Once in a blue moon I catch a sleeper with bare margins for flipping.If you're new to rehabbing chances are the first time around you won't be making any money, at least that was my case.

Do you participate as a hands on investor, or act as financial investor/joint venture partners?

I have two deals in front of me where the borrowers will not participate in a short sale but are willing to deed their properties to me.