It does not mean the appraiser is dishonest -- my guy will not risk his license.

I wonder if I can get some joint ventures there so that it will be a less risk for me to invest in a new place!!!

"I'm sorry, I would really rather take the risk of you not paying"

I don't think there is any cypress available here.I would not put wood shingle on a roof because of the fire risk, and I'd sure check with my insurance agent before I did the entire outside of a house with wood shingle.You can't hardly get insurance for a house with a shake roof, and I'd want some reassurance that there wasn't going to be a problem over the siding.There is a fire resistant manufactured siding that looks like wood shingles.

Being a former cop and knowing the risks of walking into a vacant home.

Jeff88, while that is a good call, it is important to understand that many people see Real Estate as a much higher risk investment and simply don't have the knowledge or the cash flow to feel comfortable with it.Some of these business models are in realy excellent for cash flow while also allowing people the time to then get into real estate.In any event, I would suggest that people don't have to 'choose' between such a business model and property investing - I've chosen to do both, as well as running my construction business.So while the point you make is valid, the broader concept is that we use our cashflow (whereever it comes from) to invest in property, to build our long term wealth.

As far as the lender calling a loan due that is your risk.

The key is the equity position and the amount you personally are willing to "put at risk".

People all have their different, wants, desires and risk levels.Some Realtors really just love being a realtor, others might be investors, but even as an investor we are always looking for new paths and resources.

In CO they seem to reflect at least a little bit of reality as the sales price from the HUD-1 is recorded at the county office.An "indpendent appraisal" is conducted by a (generally state) licensed individual as is relied upon by buyers (sometimes) and lenders for determining their level of risk.