If you *intend* to shop something you're capable of buying and performing on yourself then this is a different matter altogether.There is a comment in the thread above about this being a religious war.

If this were not the case people could pull out equity and purchase vehicles, take family trips, go on shopping sprees, etc and still be able to deduct for these lifestyle changes.

As to a small company, closing companies are highly regulated, insured and bonded, even if it's a one man shop, it's the title company that insures and they are approved through the state insurance commissioner, so I suggest you just make sure they are authorized agents of the title insurance company and if so, you really have very little risk, your checks should be disbursed the same day of closing if you close in the morning, so they can get a final clearance.

I have $35,000 for a down payment but it was a gift from my parents.

Before I go mortgage shopping, I get my credit score, put together a balance sheet and a schedule detailing my DTI ratio.

Working as a factory shop supervisor.

The properties are usually large apartment complexes, shopping centers or office buildings.  

You can try thrift shops and Habitat for Humanity Restores, too.I think Karen Margrave is thinking of "twin long" beds.

As a result of a high rank in Google, I've literally gotten hundreds and hundreds of lead submissions from all over the country over the past 12 months (enough to keep a one-man shop very busy).Keep in mind, the results didn't come immediately.

Ghettos are generally lower income areas with high rates of unemployment and people on fixed incomes (disability, social security, etc) lower property values, lower rated schools, poorly maintained properties, empty lots and an overabundance of churches, nail/hair/barber shops and liquor stores.Warzones typically embody all the elements of a ghetto but also include overt gang activities, prostitution, drug dealing/using and lots of vagrants/homeless people.