Schiff is one bright dude (he predicted the real estate crash), and he doesn't paint a rosy picture of our economic future - unless the government drastically changes course from it's borrow/spending binge in the near future.

I'd like to extend the cost of the water to the lot renters by submetering each unit and sending them a bill (or having a third party do it) I was wondering, who has done this, how much I'm looking at spending, are permits needed, where can I go about getting the best deal on hardware (should I use a wireless meter which gathers data 4 times a day that I can review from home?)

They use this to their advantage, along with an experienced team of contractors to find properties for less than $20k, spend no more than $10k in repairs, and easily rent them out for $900/month or more.

I have a high profile listing and I need to figure out a way to touch a couple of buyers who would be interested in spending 1.6 million for a home....

Look forward to spending time here and getting to know you.I am a RE investor/Landlord here in NJ.

FHA wants it to be move in ready so the buyers don't have to spend anything else.

Sincet hey own it, they have the abiliity to turn on utilities and if they don't, they are obviously hiding something.You have two options, pass or figure absolute worst case on your rehab budget and make offer accordingly.Is this common in a wholesale deal?

I think its a matter spending a little more to hopefully appeal to a larger base of tenants, and maybe even demand a little more rent with an "updated" kitchen.At a minimum I would paint them.

People demonstrating pride of ownership towards their home by dressing their house during the holidays or simply spending time doing yard work.

Don't assume this one can until you at least verify that he's competent and can keep on-schedule and on-budget with just one project at a time (most can't even do this).