I can't count how many phone calls I got on my properties where they said how beautiful it looked online.

To that end, having a tenant that is the government is a plus AND a minus.The plus is that the lender can safely count on the rent being paid each month.

I've seen properties with tax records reflecting the same bed/bath count yet that same property had been red tagged for illegal additions.

I don't think I would count on it until it was available, so I wouldn't payoff any investment properties unless I had no better use of funds.You can always sweeten the deal for a lender by using other properties for collateral to acquire another property.

Your family member would have to agree to do a short sale, which may trigger it being counted as income by the IRS.You could just do a signature loan or promissory note that isn't recorded post closing.

I've discussed with other contractors and they say the job could be done in a couple weeks rather than 3 months and counting. believe me i wish we didn't have this rent thing over our heads so we could just discuss the current situation.

It is harder to verify all of the liabilities of an existing business when you buy the business.It does sound like you would be better off making the seller an employee.As far as the SBA 504 goes having partners can also help with the other requirements like 51% use of the bldg and the employee count.

As you know, the bottom line is what counts, Rich

So I am not just in this for a grant it but it would help so I like to make it count for what it's worth.

That is how things were turned over in my development.And you should get proxies from the owner-occupants too, since I find that most aren't interested in personally attending the election.You know there are 415 votes; you know the percentage needed to have the votes count ("quorum").