You should be doing inspections more frequently than annually.  

Who has tips/tricks on submitting an offer on a REO property?

Also any tricks to buying a home out of state or something to be aware of in NJ/NY.

Also any tricks to buying a home out of state or something to be aware of in NJ/NY.Thank you very much! 

I work with a lot of investors in the Bay Area who have the same goals as you, and I frequently recommend Sacramento as the best option for Northern California Investors.

Hi @Megan Gerken,  Staging definitely helps - this generally gets better results (faster sale, higher price according to this report by NAEBA about not getting "tricked" by staging!)

A full time position as an underwriter certainly exists, and a large firm (AUM wise) where there is frequent acquisition/disposition activity would be a great place to look.

So your agent may want 4% even if 3% is normal in your area, which honestly is the fair price IMO considering what pains in the butt typical FSBO people are (note: 'typical' and 'all' are not the same thing... but you have no way of knowing until you get into it).Frequently, the FSBO seller is also delusional about price, difficult to negotiate with, etc.If your lender is someone like me, they may simply refuse to do it all together unless there is at least one agent involved to do all the agent-ey stuff that isn't my job (and that my license does not cover), or unless you are a seasoned REI that's got a half dozen transactions under your belt (yup loyalty is a thing), or unless you ask really really nicely. 

I was frequently called to fix this issue from seller's agents or contractors.Your best bet is going to be finding a ground behind the receptacle connected to a metal box.

It’s been a year since city of Atlanta water tricked me into paying my tenants $3200 bill so I will let myself lose that battle.