The HOA dues do cover : ext. maintenance, area lights, water, waste mgmt., fire insurance, pool (un-opened).I'll let the pros look at this one and tell me what you think.

I'm sorry once again to come off in a negative or fraudulent light.

It seems natural that the inland areas (Crestview, Niceville, DeFuniak Springs, etc) have lower prices, but the higher level of appreciation there just may be a diamond in the rough.

Now that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel I can feel comfortable owning rentals.2.If I pay off my house and have no mortgage payment isn't that + cash since I no longer have to pay for a place to live and I can pocket or re-invest the money?

However, if it's at all possible, that's a few more $$ in my pocket at tax time, and I'm not one to pass up a tax deduction when it's legit.Hoping that someone here can shine a definitive light on the subject, preferrably someone with tax advice.

They will be instructed to stick with light pastels, that can be easily painted over, and if I am concerned with the floorcovering I will make that clear, and inspect their work when done for approval.

They are light brown almost like coffee.

I was hoping you could shed some light on this issue...I have heard that in some states referral fees or finder's fees paid to someone (ie; Bird Dog, etc) after closing for letting an investor know about a property may or may not be illegal?

Add on the convoluted and opaque nature of CDO's, other derivatives, SIV's, credit card and auto loan securitization and then top it with a government that threatens to change the rules and undo centuries of contract law and you've got a recipe for economic chaos.

But if you're trying a new contractor, it's human nature and expected that they'll want and require some good faith money up front, or after their first day of work onsite.Never pay more than 30% or 33% upfront, and that is ONLY if they have to pay for a lot of stock out of their pockets.