I agree that discourse should always be civil but I think this is a great site because we can get honest peer feedback regarding our decisions and practices as landlords.

Not to be unkind but, if you want to "...get rich in real estate..." practice doing things the right way.  

Some lenders practice "loan to own" operations which is predatory type lending and they attempt to fly under the flag of commercial loan so as to void the protection that would be extended to a borrower.

Agreed, while past and future dates are rare, they can be done and as I said "as of that date" meaning the date on which the value is determined, so we are still saying the same thing.In you post above that to the OP, let's not make an implication that seller financing enhances a property value, because not only does it not, it is a dangerous activity to engage in preditory lending practices, but I believe I know what you mean, but others may not.

Unfortunately, Zillow cannot tell you the difference between two identical houses side by side and will place the same value on each regardless of the fact that one of them can be a burn out and the other can be completely renovated and practically brand new.

An exception would be if it was practical and cost effective fill it and use the space a more useful way.

Using a security for the last mo is a common practice among renters and from what I understand the court will support their position.I will get last month's rent upfront.

But I'm thinking that the absentee list, used multiple times, hits these landlords anyway....True, some of these will be absentee, but you'll miss the hobbyist landlords who are local and self-manage (if your absentee list excludes the locals, as some so in practice).

They were practically a ghost.I definitely need to meet more people in general in life.

Use the property analysis software under Tools to practice your property analysis skills as you learn.