hello, my daughter and I are venturing into the exciting world of real estate investing. we are looking for all materials on learning the process.  

As @Cameron Skinner said, a $37 variance is not material and not worth the amendment.

Now, how long this will take to materialize and exactly where will be a little harder to predict.

I figure once you've read a few books on the subject and online material (@Jerry K. - your blog is great by the way), there is no substitute for actually doing it. 

YOU WOULD have to consider the market you install this material as it is not going to work in a community where everyone else has true granite counters.    

Hi Laura,  May take a bit more time but will probably be less expensive and "more custom" is to go to places that recycle building materials. 

Personally, I highly recommend Chris's material !

I am a hands on, small time landlord doing about everything myself (but contracting out some skilled work)I find housing people worthwhile (and even profitable), but nobody would want a television show about it (think of a camera zooming in on me cleaning carpets or painting walls for hours....snooze)...In fact, I think if you do things right, you can prevent much of the drama (no building disasters or angry tenant confrontations) the staple material that would keep viewers riveted.My strengths would be in the day-to-day, nitty gritty details of small time landlording, especially for part-time landlord that holds down a day job.

But taxes are about 10-12k per year on this property and the previous homeowner was delinquent for several years)Cash for Keys: $20,000 (The homeowner agreed to vacate by a certain date to avoid a drawn out legal process, which they threatened to do)Cleanout: $750 (The place was a complete mess)Initial Cleaning: $150 (I at least needed to get the place tidied up a bit before painters would come)Kitchen Repainting / Spraying Makeover: $11,500Fresh Paint on Most Rooms (Ceiling, Walls, Trims): $12,500Hardwood Floor (Sand, Stain, Re-finish): $4,500 New Carpets in all 4 bedrooms: $4,500Lawn Debris and Hydroseed: $6,000 (and weekly lawncare until sale but that was cheap)Electrician: $1,000 (Smokes Inspection and fixed a few recessed lights + other minor)HVAC: $1,000 (Garbage Disposal Replacement, HVAC filter replacement + othersWindow Cleaning: $500Mold Remediation: $1,000 (Bathroom Ceiling)Carpentry: $5,000 (Bunch of stuff)Miscellaneous Materials: $2,000Final Cleaning: $300Staging: $4,500New Washer and Dryer: $1,000 Total: ~$600,200 (+- 2-3k)Listed Price: 669,000Sale Price: 644,500 After broker + legal Proceeds: 606,000Profit: ~6k Time Held: Bought in April, Roughly 6 Months.I didn't make much from this deal, but the experience I got was awesome.

I recently started getting into real estate as well and have plowed through pretty much the same amount of material as you have.