I don't know where the leak is.Is it appropriate to expect someone to replace the entire line, or just the portion where it leaks?

Or I can try to get a FHA loan and use a small portion of the $30k to buy a home I will live in and fix up (same as scenario above) but also use the rest of the capital to buy a second home for investment purposes calculating holding, closing costs, etc. and trying to flip within 6 months or less.

You can depreciate the prorated portion; however, If you only use it 60% of the time you cannot depreciate more than that.

I have found a handful of "gem" buys where I was so desperate to get the listing under contract that I paid 10% over full list and let the listing agent keep ALL of the commission, even the my portion as the broker/buyer.

I just did some bar napkin math to compare the Conventional vs FHA options assuming a 30 year term and purchase price of $500k:Conventional Mortgage:Purchase Price $500,000 Down Percent25%Down Payment $125,000 Rate5.5%Mortgage Balance $375,000 Payment/Month $2,150 Interest Portion of Payment $1,719 FHAPurchase Price $500,000 Down Percent3.25%Down Payment $16,250 Rate5.00%Mortgage Balance $483,750 Payment/Month $2,622 Interest Portion of Payment $2,016 The FHA rate will cost ~$300/month extra in interest.

I have the operating report for the previous 3 years and the numbers have not deviated much at all from the numbers stated above.Also, what are your thoughts on negotiating the seller to carry a portion of the loan to minimize out of pocket expense as far as a down payment?

Or we can install an ADT system for about $200 and ask her to pay the monthly fee of $50, or help her pay a portion of it.

And in total, I would collect about $10,000 down payment with a portion going towards the first months rent and the rest to me?

Texas and seller financing is a mess and the man to talk to is John Jackson on BP.LOs and CFDs are part of "executory contracts" in which the Texas State Legislature screwed the little REI guy back in July 2005.See http://www.lonestarlandlaw.com/Executory.htmlHere is a portion of a letter that I received from a great TX contract attorney.

The ball valves at harbor cargo have yellow handles - and they're about a large portion of the cost of valves at the warehouse or lowes.