I've been following your posts because this was the only thing on the web I could find that fit what I was discovering in my basement.

I have family members who I had a partnership with that ended years ago that is still a sore subject during the holidays.Have clearly written roles and responsibilities as to what each person in your partnership will do and will be responsible for and will have final authority on.

All expenses, including a broker's commission, are to be covered by any sum the broker is able to obtain in excess of the selling price net specified by the seller.That listings are seldom used.

A while back I overheard an interview with Pulitzer prize author Jane Smiley talking about her book Horse Heaven.

Interesting, Darren, my definition is very close to yours, but I'd say there is another important element, the quality of the information given.To me, the derogatory use of the term is applied to those that add fluff, exaggerations, aspects that while may be technically correct but are highly improbable to replicate or simply put out bad advice with no consideration to ethical issues.I make that distinction because, some professor in some university teaching a real estate course or some instructor in a state approved real estate school for agents isn't a guru, they are teachers and instructors.The difference in being a non-guru teacher is two fold, 1. the materials taught are compliant with rules, regulations, laws, accepted in practice and are based in sound applications of the business; and 2. they are qualified by education and experience, by education that has some professional level that is determined by proof of their mastering a level of knowledge, testing and degrees earned or certifications by proper authorities in the industry or academia.

There's nothing like flying an airplane and then looking for the manual.At least you know that you the caller is not the person in charge, hence can't sell you the property.That person will have "standing" with sufficient capacity, powers and authority to transact. 

Disclaimer:  I'm author of that book...I posted a graphic in this thread that indicates the detailed order in which I approach renovations...it might help:http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/67/topics/8975...

Hi Chad,If you have properties in mind the best way to find a listing for the existing owners is through the county assessor's office/web site.

By the time the tax appeal has worked its way through the system, it is determined that Fulton County (the taxing authority) actually owes money back to the tax debtor, meaning that the initial lien should never have been filed, and is wrongful.  

I've actually been working on a web project to create an airbnb investment analysis tool.