Working on my flip property stripping tile on concrete with a super loud jackhammer and all neighbors are now mad at me :-) But the tile had to go...

I find these articles put fear into the "normal" buyer and investor because the numbers are skewed by the massive transactions that take place here in Manhattan.  

Always use your resources in a way that will provide you with the greatest return, and that money can easily acquire you property free and clear in some areas, but it can also be a massive marketing budget that you can use to generate leads, and have the BP community help you deal with them free of charge, hell, will probably even purchase the deals from you!!

I remember thinking that I just need to think of the house as a 3 unit for a while because I had no way of getting money together to fix the place.Then over the course of the next year I hired an architect to get a plan for the unit, poured a new concrete floor, and rebuilt the entire apartment myself.

Perhaps Townhouse or massive fixer in Sherman Oaks, Studio City and Valley Village.

For example, you won't have your concrete, cabinets, tile, etc ordered in time to be installed.

. :)Obviously, the only way to get concrete answers will be to sit down with builders and go over specific plans.

Youngsters do appreciate the new tools and ease of use of mobile apps these sites have.Also note tha fact that Zillow has been on an acquisition spree and grabbed every important listings site such as Postlets, Hotpads and now Trulia merger.These sites alone were the massive source to posting on craigs (not directly but by generating the copy-paste) code.

I mention the "in person" part as well and I'm NOT saying to hide or obfuscate the fact that you're from AZ at all, but I'd see that part as raising a HUGE red flag for the handful of inspectors they likely have.Now, I NEVER advocate anyone rehab in WI and not pull ALL needed permits in any city here, besides problems with the municipality, you're leaving yourself open to massive liability for many years after you think that house is sold and long gone of anything goes wrong, like an electrical fire in a house where unpermitted wiring was done.

I would make it a habit of also asking the contractor for Schedule of Values and a Construction Schedule.Grading $$$Foundation $$$Concrete $$$Framing $$$ETC......