Another said, heavier people take more sick days and health costs are higher, so hiring them is a bigger risk than non-smokers who are thin.So, I wanted to put it out to BP... do you think being biased is natural?

I use to say that I have never put earnest money on a non-listed property, but about a month ago I gave $30 earnest money to a seller who was half crazy and very unstable, and I didn't want to mess with it.I'll speak for Texas because its the only state I've bought property in, but you do NOT have to put up earnest money to make a contract valid in Texas.

Hi,I have owned a mortgage company for 12 years and I have been involved with putting together past clients from Europe that have 5-10 million dollars to invest in non-performing notes in the U.S.

Are you even slightly aware of the problems many condo owners in Florida have with their Boards, with escalating dues, with (perhaps non-existant) reserve funds and repair and maintenance that needs done, not only to the building but also to the common areas, with control freaks?

Will a non-binding, preapproval letter from a mortgage broker for a line of credit in the needed amount work?

There are several experts in most every aspect of REI on this board.

I don't do much REI, oh yeah, I got lucky and bought a home in 1995 and sold it in 2002 for a whooping deal in SF, but I knew I was lucky--not a expert like people in BP.

It's so open ended and non threatening.

I had coffee with some people from the non-profit sector.

How landlords are depicted in the public's eye, and how to deal with that.Even in my own profession, where there's no regulation...the legitimate businesses have to constantly fight a reputation of irresponsible, non-professional types.