.- We need to add in some holding costs while the work is being done, and you search for a tenant.

I would appreciate any answers to this newbie questions: How and where do I start my search?

It seems obvious you would, but you're trying to get someone to sell you the house and not give them a lot of reasons to back out. 2) When would you run title search and how much does this typically cost?

Also, search my comments here on BP as to financing a lease-option, how rent credits are vewed by lenders using market rate rents in the future, many attorneys may not be aware of this issue if they are not involved in lending. :)

This is why for new agents they have the website they give you, business cards, etc.They want you to feel a sense of obligation to them so it will make it harder for you to leave when you search out a better commission split etc.

Can anyone help me out with what the criteria is i need to be searching for, and can anyone recommend a program to use or ones to look out for?

also, I tried a search but it crapped out - Joshua Dorkin

I suggest you search "predatory lending" here on BP.

But search here for threads on tenant screening.

FMV will now be best estimated by the comps your real estate agent will pull.take some time to search the forum and get familiar w/the options and ways to determine FMV.